Devine and Haitsuka Tabbed in CollegeBaseballInsider.com Poll

Baseball 3/27/2011 8:23:00 PM VMIKeydets.com

Keydets Split Doubleheader With Presbyterian College

CLINTON, S.C. – The VMI Keydets won game one of Sunday's doubleheader against the Presbyterian College Blue Hose, 8-4, but dropped the finale 5-4 to split the Big South twinbill played in Clinton, S.C.

In game one, VMI (13-11-1, 3-3 Big South) jumped out to the early 4-1 lead, but the Blue Hose (15-9, 3-3 Big South) scored twice in the third inning to cut the margin to one. The Keydets put the game away with three runs in the middle innings, with the key blow being a two-run, sixth inning double for catcher Alex Haitsuka.

The outburst made a winner out of Jason Farley (1-4), while John Garrett closed out the game with two perfect innings, including three strikeouts. Bud Jeter took the loss for PC to fall to 4-2.

Game two saw Presbyterian College stage a ninth-inning rally against VMI closer Sam Roberts (1-3), who was bidding to save VMI's fourth straight win. It would have also been Roberts' fourth save in the last eight days, but after Mack Hite got the home team within a run with an RBI single, pinch-hitter Brandon Paul lined a double to right. An intentional walk loaded the bases, and Roberts got the second out of the frame on a pop-up to center field. Kenny Bryant then singled to left to score two runs and end the game.

Jeremy Brown started for VMI and did not get a decision, despite scattering seven hits over six strong innings. Brown allowed two runs, struck out six and walked only one. Chandler Knox (3-1) got the win for PC with a shutout inning out of the bullpen.

The Keydets fell behind to start Sunday's opener, as PC scored an unearned run in its half of the first inning. VMI then scored three in its next at-bat, including RBI hits by Roberts and Rob Dickinson, as well as a sacrifice fly by Justin Hess. The Keydets tacked on one more in the third, when Jacob Morley had a sacrifice fly to plate Haitsuka and make it 4-1, VMI.

The Blue Hose then plated two in the third, when Brad Zebedis had an RBI double and Gabe Grammar, who had reached on a catcher's interference call, scored on a squeeze bunt. With VMI clinging to a 4-3 lead, the Keydets added a run in the fifth, thanks in large part to a PC fielding error, the home team's third error of the game.

Roberts then walked with two outs in the sixth, and that started the game-clinching rally. Graham Sullivan then singled to right-center, sending Roberts to third. George Piccirilli drew a walk to load the bases, and Haitsuka delivered Roberts and Sullivan with a double to left, putting the Keydets up 7-3.

VMI added an insurance run in the eighth, when Sullivan walked, stole second, went to third on a fly ball and scored on a wild pitch. All told, four of VMI's eight runs came with two out. In game one, Haitsuka led the Keydet offense with a 2 for 3 day, while both he and Dickinson drove in a pair of runs as the Keydets won their third straight conference game, and fourth consecutive contest overall.

That streak, unfortunately for VMI, came to an end in the twinbill's nightcap. For the second straight contest, PC jumped out to the early lead, as the Blue Hose scored twice in the second inning to take a 2-0 advantage. It was the first time this season VMI starter Brown had surrendered two runs in one appearance this season, but it would be all the home team could manage against the junior.

Meanwhile, the Keydets tied the game in the third. With two outs, Hess walked and Roberts followed with his third home run of the year, a two-run shot to right that knotted the score, 2-2.

That would be all the scoring until the eighth, when Roberts singled with one out in the Keydet half of the frame. He advanced to second on a ground out by Sullivan, and an infield hit for Piccirilli put runners at the corners with two out. Haitsuka then delivered his second clutch hit of the day, an RBI single scoring Roberts, and Morley followed with an RBI hit of his own to put the Keydets up, 4-2.

Michael Devine pitched out of an eighth-inning jam, and Roberts moved to the mound in the ninth with VMI still up by two. A leadoff walk started the inning, and after a ground ball, Hite singled up the middle to cut the lead to one and set the eventual stage for Bryant's game-winner.

Roberts was the only player with multiple hits for VMI in the series finale, as he went 2 for 5, while Hite and Bryant each went 3 for 4 for the home team.

VMI is scheduled to return to action Wednesday, as the Keydets play host to Richmond at Gray-Minor Stadium. Game time is set for 5 p.m.

VMI 8, Presbyterian College 4 (Game 1 – March 27, 2011 at Clinton, S.C.)
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VMI                031 012 010 - 8 8 3     (13-10-1, 3-2 Big South)
PC                 102 000 10X - 4 8 4     (14-9, 2-3 Big South)
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VMI – Farley; Watts (6); Garrett (8) and Haitsuka.
PC – Jeter; Richardson (6); Curry (8); Ferguson (8) and Horton.
W- Farley (1-4) L- Jeter (4-2) T-2:48 A-56

Presbyterian College 5, VMI 4 (Game 2 – March 27, 2011 at Clinton, S.C.)
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VMI                002 000 020 - 4 8 1     (13-11-1, 3-3 Big South)
PC                 020 000 003 - 5 12 0     (14-9, 2-3 Big South)
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VMI – Brown; Thomas (7); Devine (8); Roberts (9) and Haitsuka.
PC – Pace; Knox (9) and Zebedis.
W- Knox (3-1) L- Roberts (1-3) T-2:24 A-75
HR VMI – Roberts (3)

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