LEXINGTON, Va. - The VMI Keydets broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the seventh inning, and went on to add four additional runs in the eighth en route to a 9-2 win over the Binghamton Bearcats Sunday afternoon in the series finale between the clubs at Gray-Minor Stadium in Lexington, Va.
Justin Hess led off the deciding seventh inning with a single, was bunted to second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Sam Roberts then plated him with a single, giving VMI (4-5) the lead for good, before Chase Worthington had a two-run double and Alex Haitsuka added an RBI single later in the inning.
In the eighth, George Piccirilli plated two runs with a single, while Worthington and Haitsuka had RBI hits once again to account for the final Keydet runs. Binghamton (1-3) added a run in the eighth on a Daniel Nevares home run, accounting for the final margin.
In addition to his two key hits, Roberts overcame four Keydet errors and pitched six strong innings, giving up five hits, striking out eight and allowing just one unearned run. Travis Thomas (1-0) got the win for the Keydets, thanks to a perfect inning of relief, while Joe Swindells (0-1) took the loss for the Bearcats.
"Playing as many games as we have this week, we committed four errors and I didn't like that, but I thought they were aggressive errors and you can't fault our guys for that," said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry. "Sam Roberts did a great job in his start, and our hitters did what they needed to do to get into their bullpen. We talk about that a lot, and feel like we can win when we do it. Sam had a big at-bat in the seventh to get us the lead, and we were able to tack on with Chase's double to break the game open a bit. They did a good job getting solid swings against John Garrett, in his fourth appearance this week, but Watts got their #4 hitter to roll over and hit into a double play. I was particularly happy with how we added on in the eighth, to put the game away."
The Keydets jumped ahead early in Sunday's series finale, as VMI loaded the bases with one out on the first. Haitsuka plated a run by hitting into a fielder's choice, but with two away, Rob Dickinson struck out to end the threat.
The Bearcats rallied in the third, when Peter Bregartner singled down the left field line. Graham Sullivan charged the ball, but it caromed away and allowed the Binghamton outfielder to take an extra base. One out later, Bregartner stole third and scored on a throwing error by catcher Alex Haitsuka, tying the game at one.
That would be the only blemish on Roberts' log all day, but the Keydets could not score until he left the game in the seventh. After Thomas' 1-2-3 frame, Hess hit a 1-2 pitch into right field to start the seventh. Cody Holder moved him up with a bunt, and Roberts singled up the middle to make it 2-1, VMI.
Sullivan then followed with a single to left, and one out later, Worthington hammered his double deep into the right-center field gap, plating both runners and extending the lead to 4-1. Haitsuka followed with a bloop single to right, scoring the VMI third baseman and making it 5-1, Keydets.
The Bearcats tried to rally in the eighth. John Garrett relieved Thomas, and was rudely greeted by a Daniel Nevares home run over the left field wall, cutting the margin to 5-2. Bregartner followed with a hit, and one out later, Dave Ciocchi singled as well. That brought Alan Watts out of the VMI bullpen, and on one pitch, Watts induced a 5-4-3 double play to end the Binghamton rally.
The Keydets tacked on four additional runs in the ninth. Piccirilli had a two-run single, and Worthington and Haitsuka drove in runs as well. Michael Devine pitched a hitless ninth inning, allowing just a single baserunner to close out the Keydet victory.
VMI's offense was paced by Roberts' 2 for 4 effort, which closed out a week during which the VMI shortstop hit .583 (14 for 24). Sullivan's 3 for 5 day, Haitsuka's 3 for 4 afternoon and Worthington's 2 for 3, 3 RBI day were solid as well.
"Playing four games in a weekend is something we'll do the next couple of weeks, and I think that could make a three-game series seem a little shorter," said Coach Ikenberry. "I'm proud of the way our guys competed all weekend. Binghamton's got a great club, they've been at the top of the American East Conference for the past few years, and we played very well. "
VMI will return to the diamond Wednesday, traveling to Richmond to take on the Richmond Spiders Tuesday afternoon. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m.
