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Six-Run Second Inning Lifts Keydets to 8-3 Win over Norfolk State

LEXINGTON, Va.- A six-run second inning put the VMI baseball team up for good as they scored an 8-3 victory over in-state opponent Norfolk State Wednesday afternoon at Patchin Field.

Leading the Keydet (9-10) offense on the day was junior third baseman Kelly Sweppenhiser, who hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot down the left field line in the second inning, and finished 3-for-4 with three RBI. Freshman designated hitter Travis Mulkey also went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, while Jacoby Fields went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Scoring the win for VMI on the mound was freshman Alex Di Dio (2-0), who pitched five innings, allowing only one unearned run and three hits while striking out three.

For NSU (3-17), freshman Josh Eason (0-2) took the loss after pitching seven innings and allowing eight runs, seven of them earned. The only Spartan to notch multiple hits was junior catcher T.J. Starkey, who went 4-for-5 from the leadoff spot.

“It was great to see us come out and swing the bats early, we were able to take Norfolk State out of the game really in the second inning,” said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry. “We had two guys, Travis Mulkey and Chase Buchanan, who came in and did a great job for us today without seeing many at bats this year. I was very pleased with Chase's work behind the plate today in his first collegiate start, and then got his first collegiate hit in the second inning.”

VMI jumped on the board early with back-to-back doubles by Fields and Sweppenhiser with one out in the first inning, then added to that lead in the second. A throwing error on the pitcher plated VMI's first run of the inning, then the Keydets took a 3-0 lead when catcher Chase Buchanan's single through the left side of the infield drove in Mulkey.

After a bunt single by Matt Smith, another double by Fields, this one down the left field line, brought in two more runs, giving the Keydets a 5-0 advantage. Eason's next pitch landed beyond the left field fence, as Sweppenhiser's home run plated Fields as VMI wrapped up the second frame with a 7-0 advantage.

NSU answered in the third inning, when Starkey singled with one out for the Spartans' first hit of the game. The Spartans' next batter, Ryan Reddick brought home their first run on a groundout to third base, however, that is all they could manage in the inning.

Eason settled down after the second inning for the Spartans, as he scattered three hits in the next four innings. NSU struck again in the sixth, when Mike Anton came on to relieve Di Dio on the mound for VMI. The Spartans first run came in when a throwing error by the catcher, trying to throw out a runner at second base, brought in Juan Serrano. An RBI single to left field by Rocco Savage plated the Spartans last run, and cut the lead to 7-3.

VMI added to their lead in the seventh, when Mulkey doubled to left-center field , then scored on a throwing error by the shortstop following a single by pinch-hitter Klint Reed.

“Our offense did a great job in the seventh inning to extend that lead to a five-run game,” said Ikenberry. “Norfolk State had rallied to cut the score to 7-3, then we have Travis (Mulkey) get on with a double and Klint (Reed) step up in a pinch-hit situation and bring him in.”

Di Dio improved to 2-0 in his second start of the season, and was relieved by Anton, who gave up two runs, one earned in one inning of work. Corey Bachman came on to work the seventh and eighth innings, allowing only one hit, followed by Jeff DeMara, who allowed one hit also in working the ninth.

“I thought our pitching staff did a nice job of throwing strikes out there today,” said Ikenberry as the Keydets threw 86 strikes against only 50 balls. “I was very pleased with our staff as a whole.”

The Keydets return to action Friday afternoon, when they open up Big South Conference play with the first game of a three-game weekend series against UNC Asheville. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Patchin Field.

“Coming off a tough weekend at a national-caliber, SEC opponent like Auburn, it was great to bounce back and get a win over an in-state opponent before starting up conference play this weekend,” said Ikenberry.
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