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Keydets Prevail 7-4 over Norfolk State

NORFOLK, Va.- Junior Kelly Sweppenhiser and freshman Klint Reed combined to go 5-for-7 with a pair of RBIs and three runs scored in leading VMI to a 7-4 non-conference victory over Norfolk State Tuesday afternoon at Marty Miller Field. With the win, VMI improves to 12-11 overall, while Norfolk State falls to 3-21.

Sophomore John Goode (1-0) picked up his first career win, allowing only one hit in three innings of work, while sophomore Corey Bachman earned his first career save, throwing the final two innings for VMI and also allowing only one hit. Sophomore Mike Anton started the game for the Keydets and allowed four runs, two earned on six hits in four-plus innings.

“I was real impressed with our pitching staff today,” said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry. “They did a good job of throwing strikes and I thought did a great job of competing out there today. Mike did a good job of settling down after giving up a couple of runs in the first inning, and John did a great job of coming in in the fifth inning and getting two punchouts to get us out of a jam. It was great to see John get his first win at VMI, and for Corey to get his first save too.”

On the offensive side, Reed went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a pair of runs scored, while Sweppenhiser went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, a run scored and an RBI. Junior B.T. Good also had a pair of hits on the day, finishing 2-for-5 with an RBI.

“Offensively, Klint had a great day, and Sweppenhiser just keeps hitting the ball,” said Ikenberry. “We're a little banged up right now, so we got to throw some different guys out there today, which is always good experience.”

The Keydets struck early with a pair of runs in the first, thanks to back-to-back doubles by Reed and Sweppenhiser, followed by the first of four Spartan errors on the day that brought home Elliott Erbe.

NSU answered in the bottom of the first, when an RBI single by Chris Dorney scored Ryan Reddick. Just a few pitches later, a failed pickoff attempt at third base by the VMI catcher brought home an unearned run for the Spartans.

The Keydets jumped on top for good in the second inning, when back-to-back-to-back walks issued by Norfolk State starter Rocco Savage loaded the bases for Reed, whose sacrifice fly to center field gave VMI a 3-2 lead.

In the fourth inning, VMI built on that lead, surging ahead to a 7-2 advantage after three hits and a pair of errors led to a four-run inning. The Spartans could only answer with a two-spot in the fifth, when Good came on to close the door on the NSU rally, as the rest of the innings were scoreless.

The Keydets return to action Friday afternoon, when they continue Big South Conference play with the first game of a three-game weekend series at Coastal Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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