HIGH POINT, N.C. - High Point University (7-38, 2-14 BSC) scored four runs in the first inning and seven more in the sixth to carry the Panthers to a 14-4 Big South Conference victory over VMI (22-27, 3-16 BSC) Saturday afternoon at George S. Erath Field.

The Keydets only trailed 4-1 after five innings, but HPU rallied to score seven times in the sixth and put the game out of reach.

A two-run double by first baseman Seby Renta, a two-run single from designated hitter Nick Thompson and four VMI errors all contributed to the Panthers seven runs.

After Keydets' starter J.J. Hollenbeck retired the first HPU batter of the game, the Panthers used four hits to drive in four runs and open up a 4-0 lead after one inning.

VMI made the score 4-1 in the third after a lead off single from third baseman Kelly Sweppenhiser (Herndon, Pa. / Line Mountain) followed by right fielder Elliott Erbe's (Portsmouth, Va. / Western Branch) double led to catcher Sean Seawell's (Spotsylvania, Va. / Spotsylvania) RBI ground out.

The Keydets added another run in the eighth inning on a Sweppenhiser solo home run (8) and scored two more runs in the ninth to make the final score 14-4.

Panthers' starter Bob Helman (2-6) went the distance for HPU, giving up two earned runs and getting credited with the win.

Hollenbeck (4-4) was roughed up in his three innings of work, as he suffered the loss.

Overall, Sweppenhiser went 3-for-4 including a double, a homer and three RBI's. Designated hitter Brandon Massenburg (Prince George, Va. / Prince George) went 2-for-2 with a double.

Third baseman Matt Richardson recorded four hits in five at-bats for the Panthers.

Game two of the three game series between VMI and HPU is Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

RHP Duke Acors (2-7, 6.95 ERA) will start for the Keydets and HPU will throw RHP Matt Kniginyzky (2-6, 6.57 ERA).


-VMI-