Baseball VMIKeydets.com

Keydets Fall 5-4 in Ninth Inning in Series Opener vs. Auburn

AUBURN, Ala.- Sophomore Bruce Edward's pinch-hit single to left field scoring Jeff Boutwell from second base in the bottom of the ninth inning led Auburn to a 5-4 walk-off victory over VMI (8-8) in the series opener Friday at Plainsman Park. The Tigers' (13-5) victory halted a VMI seven-game winning streak.

Boutwell led off the Auburn ninth with a double off the left field wall against Keydet right-hander Jeff DeMara. Edwards pinch hit for Philip Stringer and dumped an 0-2 offering from DeMara into left field for the game winner.

DeMara (2-1) was saddled with the loss after allowing a run in one inning of work.

"I thought our kids played hard tonight in a tough environment," said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry. "We outhit the Auburn Tigers at their place in a game that came down to the last at bat. Our hitters did a great job of adjusting during the game, and our pitching staff did a good job against a quality hitting team."

John Madden (3-0) picked up the victory for the Tigers after tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Auburn starter Arnold Hughey went six innings, allowing two runs (one unearned) with a season-high nine strikeouts in a no decision.

The Tigers jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Tyler Johnstone singled and Clete Thomas walked before Karl Amonite doubled off the left field wall, scoring both runners. Amonite later scored on a throwing error.

Designated hitter Josh Bell doubled to deep left-center field in the fifth inning scoring Johnstone for a 4-0 Tigers' lead. Johnstone led off the frame with a walk and stole second base before scoring two batters later on Bell's two-out RBI.

VMI evened the game with a four-run seventh inning. The first three batters reached safely to load the bases. Klint Reed singled and B.T. Good reached on an error before Hughey was replaced by Jared Shore. Stephen Parsons singled to load the bases and Reed scored on a ground out by Thane Smith.

Keydet lead-off hitter Matt Smith doubled off Shore scoring two, trimming the deficit to 4-3 before tying the game when Jacoby Fields followed with a single to right field. Smith led the Keydets going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a stolen base.

"Matt Smith did a great job for us tonight, coming through with a pair of doubles," said Ikenberry. "I'm real happy with his production out of the leadoff spot, he is doing a great job of setting the tone for our offense. We've been playing some good baseball against top-quality opponents lately, and I think that's a great sign of where our program has come from over the past few years. That goes back to the work (Auburn head coach) Tommy (Slater) did here, for us to be able to match up this well against a national baseball powerhouse like Auburn."

Smith extended his hitting streak to 10 games, while sophomore first baseman Robert Crumpler collected a pair of singles and was the only other Keydet with multiple hits.

Starter Duke Acors gave up three runs (two earned) in four innings for VMI, while Josh Owens gave up a run in three innings of work.

"I don't know how much better we could have matched up with them pitching-wise," said Ikenberry. "Acors settled in after giving up three runs in the first, and Owens had a great outing in the middle innings. We were able to give DeMara the ball in a tied game in the eighth inning, and we're always going to be confident when we can do that."

Auburn and VMI will play the second game of the series Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. CT.
Print Friendly Version