Game Photos

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Despite solid pitching that saw VMI push Florida Sate to the brink of extra innings by getting two outs in the bottom of the ninth in a 5-5 tie, the Keydets fell to Florida State 6-5 on Saturday in game two of their three-game weekend series with the Seminoles. VMI sophomore right-hander Corey Bachman (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern) came on in the bottom of the ninth and got the Keydets within an out of extra innings. However, a two-out double by Brant Peacher put him into scoring position and Peacher would score the winning run on a walk-off single by Bryan Henry. Bachman took the loss in just two-thirds of an inning of work to fall to 0-1 on the season while Seminole closer Tyler Chambliss picked up the win to move to 1-0 on the year.

Although the loss sent the Keydets to 0-2 on this young season, there was plenty of good things to take from it.

"It was a very exciting game with a lot of positives to build on," VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry said. "All in all, I thought we did an outstanding job."

Trailing 5-4 after eight, the Keydets battled back in the clutch as senior shortstop Matt Smith (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) knocked in one of his two runs on the day with a single to center field scoring sophomore center fielder Thane Smith (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) with the game-tying run. Florida State struck out the following batter which set the stage for their rally to the victory in the bottom of the ninth.

The Keydets fell behind 3-0 after three innings of play but refused to let that hamper their psyche. Junior right-hander J.J. Hollenbeck (Madison, Va./James Madison) started for VMI and went four full innings allowing three runs on six hits and registering four strikeouts.

"I thought J.J. Hollenbeck did a nice job pitching four innings," Ikenberry said.

Hollenbeck would give way to freshman left-hander Trey Barham (Portsmouth, Va./Greenbrier Christian Academy) in the fifth. Barham was effective over three innings of work during which he allowed two runs on two hits and struck out four.

"Trey Barham did an outstanding job in middle relief," Ikenberry said. "He pitched well striking out four batters."

While Chambliss picked up the win, it was sophomore Michael Hyde who started the game and had another very strong outing. The Tallahassee native pitched five innings, walked three, struck out one and allowed two runs and left the game in line for a win. The Tallahassee Community College product started the game strong needing just 13 pitches as he breezed through the top of the first setting down VMI in order. The sophomore made it look easy into the third as he had yet to give up a hit in a 0-0 game.

The Florida State offense gave Hyde some breathing room in the bottom of the third inning. Shane Robinson started the rally with an infield single. Cheesman came through with a two out single through the left side to put runners on the corners for Ryne Malonr. The first baseman almost had the Seminoles' first home run of the year when he blasted a shot high off the fence in right. The double cleared the bases and put FSU in front 2-0. Josh Spivey then smashed a line drive to first plating the third run of the inning.

The Keydets tried to cut into the Seminole lead in the top of the fourth as Hyde gave up his first walk and hit of the inning. VMI was unable to capitalize though as the runner at third was thrown out at home on a pitch out that ended with Nick Francis gunning the base runner out at the plate.

Hyde got into his first real jam of the game in the top of the fifth. A walk and single put runners on the corners and Thane Smith cashed in with a single into right cutting the score to 3-1. A sac bunt moved both runners into scoring position and Hyde's second walk of the inning loaded the bases. A ground out scored VMI's second run of the inning and cut the FSU lead to 3-2.

In the top of the sixth VMI scored two runs off relief pitcher Kevin Lynch putting the Seminoles behind for just the second time all season and the first time since falling behind 2-0 to Charleston Southern in the top of the first in just the second game of the year. The Keydets used two walks, a double and a single to plate their two runs but Lynch came back and ended the rally with back-to-back called third strikes.

In the bottom of the seventh FSU responded. The Seminoles got a lead off walk from Gibbs Chapman and Cheesman followed with a single through the right side. Malone then laid down a bunt single to load the bases. A passed ball moved everybody up a base and tied the game at 4-4. Peacher then came up and his ground out put FSU in the lead at 5-4.

After pitching two perfect innings where he struck out three batters and didn't allow a hit, Matt DiBlasi gave way to Chambliss in the top of the ninth. A Thane Smith single and sac bunt put the tying run in scoring position for the Keydets with just one away. Chambliss got the second out on his first K of the game but Matt Smith's single to center field tied the contest setting up the Seminoles' heroics in the bottom of the ninth.

The two teams will play the third and final game of the weekend series on Sunday at 1:00 pm. The Garnet and Gold is expected to throw junior Barret Browning (0-0) who will be making his second start of the season while sophomore left-hander Mike Anton (Clarksville, Md./River Hill) is the likely starter for the Keydets. Game Tracker will be available for the contest along with a live radio broadcast available on WFLA locally and on the Internet at seminoles.com.

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