Sandridge's Walk-Off Blast Gives Baseball 4-3 Win in 11 Innings

Baseball VMIKeydets.com

Sandridge's Walk-Off Blast Gives Baseball 4-3 Win in 11 Innings

LEXINGTON, Va.- Brian Sandridge's three-run home run to left-center field gave VMI a walk-off, 4-3 win in 11 innings on Sunday afternoon in a game suspended due to rain on Saturday night.

After Saturday's contest was suspended due to rain heading to the tenth inning tied at one, Alex Gregory's two-run blast gave the Highlanders (15-13, 2-2 Big South) a 3-1 advantage in the top of the 11th. The Keydets (13-15, 5-2 Big South), however, rallied to make a winner of Chris Duty (3-0), who came on to retire the Highlanders in order after Travis Smink surrendered the two-run shot.

"Today, we came out and had to start out in the tenth, and it was uncharacteristic that Travis Smink had to come out and start," said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry." He didn't locate well, and mis-located a (full-count) pitch to their best hitter, who hit a two-run home run. But when we came off of the field, we knew we had to get some base runners with the middle of our lineup coming up to have a chance."

The Keydets responded with leadoff walk and a single off of Radford reliever Josh Hammonds (0-1). That brought Sandridge to the plate, representing the winning run. Hammonds' first pitch to Sandridge sailed beyond the left-center field wall, setting off a wild celebration as VMI scored their first walk-off win since Eddie Van Es hit a two-run home run to give VMI a 5-4 win on April 27, 2007.

"Mike Roberts had a great at bat to draw the walk, and then Tanner singled to give Brian a chance to hit a dramatic, walk-off home run, and on the first pitch, he got it," said Ikenberry. "It was a nice way to open the weekend, for us to not give up after getting down, and then all of a sudden getting the walk-off (home run)."

Radford's Eric Evans and VMI's Trey Barham each allowed only one run while pitching nine innings in Saturday's proceedings. Evans allowed only an unearned run, striking out seven while allowing only three hits. He was matched by Barham, who became VMI's career strikeout leader by striking out former high school teammate Nachion Moore in the fifth inning, surpassing Duke Acors' total of 245. Barham allowed five hits and a pair of walks while striking out 11.

"Trey Barham did an outstanding job last night," said Ikenberry. "It was unfortunate that we had to go into a suspended game after not being able to win it in the ninth. We loaded the bases, but tip your cap to their kid (Evans) that he got out of it.

The Keydets took a 1-0 advantage in the third, plating an unearned run on a throwing error by RU third baseman Nick Minter. The Highlanders knotted the game a half-inning later, when Alex Gregory trotted home on a groundout by Minter.

Evans bounced back to retire the next 18 batters that he faced after the third inning error. The string was broken on a two-out walk in the bottom of the ninth issued to Tanner Biagini, before VMI loaded the bases with an infield hit and another base on balls. Evans escaped the jam when A.J. Yoder flew out to center field, the final pitch before the game was delayed for 28 minutes, then suspended.

Sandridge led the Keydets offensively, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while Gregory's 2-for-5 day with two RBIs paced the Highlander attack.

Keydet Quick Hits
? The extra-innings game was the first for both teams since VMI claimed a 12-9 decision over Radford at Dedmon Center Park on May 12, 2007.
? Trey Barham's 11 strikeouts in the game matched Chris Henderson's 11-strikeout game last Sunday against Winthrop as the most by a Keydet this season. They are also the most in a game by Barham since striking out 12 at James Madison on May 17, 2006.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Trey Barham

#8 Trey Barham

LHP
6' 0"
Senior
L/L
Tanner Biagini

#24 Tanner Biagini

IF
6' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
Chris Duty

#22 Chris Duty

RHP
6' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
Chris Henderson

#7 Chris Henderson

RHP
6' 0"
Junior
R/R
Mike Roberts

#6 Mike Roberts

C
6' 2"
Junior
R/R
Brian Sandridge

#31 Brian Sandridge

OF
6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
R/R
Travis Smink

#35 Travis Smink

LHP
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
L/L
A.J. Yoder

#10 A.J. Yoder

IF
5' 11"
Junior
L/R

Players Mentioned

Trey Barham

#8 Trey Barham

6' 0"
Senior
L/L
LHP
Tanner Biagini

#24 Tanner Biagini

6' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
IF
Chris Duty

#22 Chris Duty

6' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
RHP
Chris Henderson

#7 Chris Henderson

6' 0"
Junior
R/R
RHP
Mike Roberts

#6 Mike Roberts

6' 2"
Junior
R/R
C
Brian Sandridge

#31 Brian Sandridge

6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
R/R
OF
Travis Smink

#35 Travis Smink

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
L/L
LHP
A.J. Yoder

#10 A.J. Yoder

5' 11"
Junior
L/R
IF