LEXINGTON, Va. ? Tanner Biagini delivered a bases-loaded single to deep left field, plating the winning run as VMI claimed a 6-5, walk-off win over Norfolk State on Wednesday evening at Gray-Minor Stadium. The win snaps an eight-game losing streak for VMI (14-26), while Norfolk State (13-18) falls for the second time this season to the Keydets, both by one-run margins.
Jarrod Farley's second home run of the contest, a three-run shot in the sixth, tied the contest at five. Chris Henderson (3-5) then came on in relief and worked the final 3.1 innings, with the only base runner he allowed reaching on a wild pitch after one of his five strikeouts.
VMI rallied in the bottom of the ninth after Chase Davenport (3-3) issued a leadoff walk to Graham Sullivan. Pinch-runner Tyler Brown then came on and moved to second base on a passed ball before going to third base on a sacrifice bunt. After a pair of intentional walks loaded the bases, Biagini worked the count full, and on the eighth pitch of the at bat, lined a deep shot over the head of the left fielder.
“It's a shame that Adam Lopez couldn't get the win tonight with that outing,” said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry of his starting pitcher who allowed just two runs in 5.1 innings in his second career start. “I can't speak highly enough of the job Chris Henderson did to come in and slam the door for 3.1 innings. I wouldn't have wanted anybody else but Tanner Biagini up in the ninth inning in that situation. I thought we played solid defense for the second-straight game, and I'm proud of how we came out and played after a long bus ride last night.”
Graham Sullivan plated the Keydets' first run in the second inning with a single, scoring Alex Haitsuka. A four-run fourth gave VMI a 5-0 advantage, as Jacob Morley brought home a pair with his opposite-field double before A.J. Yoder plated two more by going the other way for a single.
The Spartans began their comeback in the fifth, as Farley took VMI starter Adam Lopez deep with one out. After a one-out double in the sixth by Brandon Hairston, Lopez was lifted in favor of reliever Josh McPherson. A pinch-hit double by Jermaine Berry brought the margin to 5-2, before Farley knotted the game with his three-run shot.
Yoder, Haitsuka and Sullivan each had two hits for the Keydets, while Morley drove in a pair with his lone knock. The bottom third of the NSU lineup accounted for five of the team's seven hits, with Farley going 3-for-4 with four RBI, while TiQuan Griffin went 2-for-4 in the loss.
With the win, Henderson moves into a tie for second place on the VMI career wins chart with 16 victories in his three-plus seasons on post. Yoder, meanwhile, became just the sixth Keydet with 200 career hits with his infield single in the first inning.
The Keydets return to action this weekend, traveling to Rock Hill, S.C. for a Big South series at Winthrop. First pitch of game one is set for Friday evening at 6 p.m., and the game will be broadcast by the VMI Sports Network.
