MACON, Ga.- Down two games to none in a weekend series at Mercer, the VMI baseball team twice came from behind in taking a 5-4 victory on Sunday afternoon at Claude Smith Field. With the win, the Keydets even their record at 3-3 on the young season.

Freshman Chris Henderson gave up two runs, one earned, in his second career start, lasting four innings. He was relieved with a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning by fellow freshman Travis Smink (2-0), who earned his second win in as many weekends, despite allowing two Mercer (4-2) runs in the sixth. Junior Ian Casher came on for two impressive innings, shutting out the Bears in the seventh and eighth before Jacoby Fields came on in the ninth, surrendering only a walk to earn his second save of the year.

"Henderson did a great job of keeping us in the game early," said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry. "He gave up the unearned run in the first and got down 2-0 in the second, but he settled down and let us take the lead in the fourth. Our plan offensively today was to get to their bullpen early, and we were able to do that, chasing Barrett after four innings. Chad Rice had a big hit for us there to give us the lead, and we had great at bats all day, especially from Mike Roberts, Shane Geisslinger and Kelly Sweppenhiser. We got great outings today from our pitchers; Jacoby especially came into a jam in the ninth and notched the save for us."

Freshman catcher Mike Roberts had the first multi-hit game of his career, going 3-for-5 with the game-tying RBI in the seventh inning. Sophomore second baseman Shane Geisslinger also had his first three-hit game of the year, going 3-for-4 with a double and the Keydets' first RBI of the contest.

The Bears jumped on top in the first, as Tyler McCarty reached on a two-base error, moved to third on a groundout before scoring on a wild pitch. In the second, a leadoff home run in the second by Mike Armstrong gave Mercer the early 2-0 lead.

Mercer starter Shawn Barrett held VMI off the scoreboard until the fourth, when four singles led to three runs, highlighted by a two-run base knock by Chad Rice to give the Keydets their first lead of the contest at 3-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, Mercer once again grabbed the lead, with both runs scoring on bunts. However, despite allowing two runs, Smink ended the rally by inducing a flyout to left field with runners on second and third, keeping the Keydets within one run heading to the seventh.

And the visitors would waste no time in responding, as they took the lead for good in the seventh off of Mercer reliever Kyle Johnston (0-1). A single with runners on second and third by Roberts brought home the tying run, before a groundout by A.J. Yoder scored Sweppenhiser with the game-winning run.

From there, Casher scattered three hits in his two-plus innings of work before Fields came in to close out the game.

The Keydets will host their home opener on Friday, as Coppin State comes to town for a three-game set this weekend. First pitch for Friday's contest is scheduled for 2 p.m., while Saturday's and Sunday's games are set for 1 p.m. starts.