RADFORD, Va.- With Radford trailing 5-3 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, senior first baseman Mark Fleisher hit his 10th home run of the season to tie the game before an RBI single by sophomore third baseman Jesse Ross brought home the winning run, as the Highlanders fought back to take game three of the weekend Big South series over VMI by a 6-5 count. With the win, Radford improves to 14-38 and 8-16 in the Big South, while VMI falls to 27-26, 11-13 in conference play.
The loss was VMI's first in seven outings, while Radford broke a six-game losing streak with the win. VMI will enter the 2005 Bojangle's Big South Conference Baseball Championship as the fifth-seed, while Radford grabbed the sixth-seed with their win accompanied by Charleston Southern's 3-2, 12-inning loss at Liberty.
The contest was tight throughout, as VMI grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning, when sophomore second baseman Chad Rice's double brought home senior shortstop Elliott Erbe before senior shortstop Matt Smith's singled home Rice.
But Radford answered in their half of the fifth inning, when the VMI defense made a pair of errors that led to three runs in the inning. An RBI single by Alan Ashworth was followed by a bases loaded single from Kellen Wohlford that brought home two runs. Wohlford's base knock came on the first pitch from VMI starter Josh Owens after the Keydets intentionally walked Fleisher.
The Keydets responded in the top of the sixth, again grabbing the lead when Klint Reed singled up the middle to bring home a pair of unearned runs. VMI then tacked on another insurance run with two outs in the top of the ninth thanks to an RBI single by Matt Smith, giving senior closer Jeff DeMara a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the ninth for his third inning of work.
But the Highlanders would not go quietly. A one-out double by senior Steve Mantione was sandwiched between a pair of pop flies. With two outs gone and a man on second base, DeMara worked Fleisher to a 2-2 count before the Highlander's top home run hitter lofted a shot to right field, tying the game at five in his final home at bat.
The next pitch from DeMara came to Wohlford, who reached with a bunt single. The senior cleanup man then stole second base, setting the stage for Ross' walk-off hit, giving Radford the dramatic win.
Three Highlanders had a pair of hits in the game, including Mantione, Ashworth and Wohlford. VMI's lone multi-hit player was Matt Smith, who went 2-for-5 with two RBI.
Taking the win for Radford was sophomore reliever Casey Hodges, who allowed only one hit and one run in the final two innings against the Keydets. Hodges came on in relief of Justin Morgan, who pitched seven-plus innings, surrendering four runs, two earned, on six hits.
DeMara (6-3) took the loss for VMI after pitching 2.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits while walking a pair of batters. Owens pitched five innings for the Keydets, as Radford scored three runs on six hits off the senior. Barham came on in relief to start the six innings and retired four of the five batters he faced before giving way to DeMara with one out in the seventh.
The Keydets will return to action Wednesday afternoon, as they will take on the second-seeded Winthrop Eagles. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 3 p.m., but fans should stay tuned to www.vmikeydets.com for further updates. All of VMI's contests in the Championship can be followed via live stats and can also be heard on WREL 1450 AM or on www.vmikeydets.com, as Wade Branner provides the play-by-play and Christian Hoffman provides the color.
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