Baseball Plays Host to Rider This Weekend

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Baseball Splits Against High Point

LEXINGTON, Va.? Pablo Rosario's single plated the go-ahead run as High Point claimed a 3-2 win over VMI in game two of a Big South series on Friday evening at Gray-Minor Stadium.  Earlier in the evening, VMI wrapped up a 13-2 win in a contest suspended by inclement weather on Thursday night.

In Friday's scheduled tilt, the Panthers (19-30, 11-12 Big South) got superb pitching from starter Jamie Serber, who allowed just two runs on four hits in 7.1 innings.  Leading 2-1 in the eighth inning, Serber surrendered a leadoff single before leaving the game in favor of reliever Jeremy Berg (4-2).  The right-hander got the inning's second out, but gave up an RBI double to Tanner Biagini to knot the score at two.

The Panthers answered immediately by rallying in the ninth.  Pinch-hitter Hank Patterson led off the frame with an infield single, then went to second on a sacrifice bunt.  That spelled the end of the evening for Keydet reliever Matt Edwards (3-6), who allowed just one hit through 3.2 frames.  Edwards gave way to Sam Roberts, who allowed Rosario's safety into right-center field, before Berg retired the Keydets in order in the bottom of the frame.

High Point got two-hit outings from Alfie Wheeler, Kyle Mahoney and Jeff Cowan, who slugged his first home run of the season in the third inning.  The Keydets (17-33, 10-15 Big South), meanwhile, managed just five hits in the contest, including doubles from A.J. Yoder and Biagini.

Keydet starting pitcher Chris Henderson was charged with two runs, one earned, on seven hits, striking out three through 4.2 innings.

In the conclusion of Thursday's game, which was suspended with VMI leading 10-1 in the eighth inning, Keydet reliever Michael Devine struck out the first two batters that he faced to strand a pair of runners in scoring position.  In the bottom of the frame, a solo home run by Jordan Ballard and a two-run dinger by Alex Haitsuka put VMI ahead, 13-1.  Devine was then charged with a single run in the ninth before ending the game on a double play.

Keydet starting pitcher Travis Smink (7-4) picked up the win by allowing just one run on six hits through seven innings.  Panthers starter R.J. Chlebnikow (3-5) took the loss, being charged with six runs on four hits and four walks in just one-plus inning.

Yoder, Roberts and Graham Sullivan each had three hits in game one, including four RBI on a pair of home runs hit by Roberts.  

“We finished game one in style,” said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry.  “We swung the bats well in game one, and Travis Smink did a nice job for us on the mound.  In today's game, Serber pitched very well.  He kept us off-balance the entire game.  Chris Henderson and Matt Edwards pitched well to keep us in the game.  It's a shame that we lost that game; we just didn't swing the bats when we needed to.  But we still have a chance to come out on Senior Day and win the weekend.”

The Keydets and Panthers wrap up the regular season on Saturday evening at Gray-Minor Stadium.  First pitch is set for 6 p.m., while Senior Day festivities are slated to begin at approximately 5:45 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Ballard

#26 Jordan Ballard

IF
6' 3"
Junior
R/R
Tanner Biagini

#24 Tanner Biagini

IF
6' 3"
Junior
R/R
Michael Devine

#25 Michael Devine

UT/RHP
6' 1"
Freshman
R/R
Matt Edwards

#14 Matt Edwards

RHP
5' 11"
Redshirt Junior
R/R
Alex Haitsuka

#28 Alex Haitsuka

C
6' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
Chris Henderson

#7 Chris Henderson

RHP
6' 0"
Senior
R/R
Sam Roberts

#4 Sam Roberts

IF/OF/P
6' 2"
Sophomore
L/R
Travis Smink

#35 Travis Smink

LHP
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
L/L
Graham Sullivan

#23 Graham Sullivan

IF
6' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
A.J. Yoder

#10 A.J. Yoder

MI
5' 11"
Senior
L/R

Players Mentioned

Jordan Ballard

#26 Jordan Ballard

6' 3"
Junior
R/R
IF
Tanner Biagini

#24 Tanner Biagini

6' 3"
Junior
R/R
IF
Michael Devine

#25 Michael Devine

6' 1"
Freshman
R/R
UT/RHP
Matt Edwards

#14 Matt Edwards

5' 11"
Redshirt Junior
R/R
RHP
Alex Haitsuka

#28 Alex Haitsuka

6' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
C
Chris Henderson

#7 Chris Henderson

6' 0"
Senior
R/R
RHP
Sam Roberts

#4 Sam Roberts

6' 2"
Sophomore
L/R
IF/OF/P
Travis Smink

#35 Travis Smink

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
L/L
LHP
Graham Sullivan

#23 Graham Sullivan

6' 3"
Sophomore
R/R
IF
A.J. Yoder

#10 A.J. Yoder

5' 11"
Senior
L/R
MI