BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The VMI Keydets took a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning, but the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers scored three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings en route to a 7-2 win in the series finale between the clubs, contested Sunday at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Ky.
VMI (5-11) starting pitcher Campbell Henkel cruised through the first five innings, throwing just 55 pitches and allowing only three hits, and the Keydets took a 2-1 lead in the fourth. WKU (7-7), however, broke through in the sixth. Regan Flaherty singled with one out, and Devin Kelly followed with a walk. Ryan Huck then had a two-run double to give the Hilltoppers the lead for good. Anderson Miller followed with a sacrifice fly, and the home team tacked on three additional runs in the seventh to account for the final margin.
Offensively, the Keydets were led by Rob Dickinson, who went 2 for 4 with a run scored in the setback. The senior center fielder was the VMI standout of the weekend, going 5 for 11 (.455) and reached base in three additional plate appearances. Huck went 3 for 4 with four RBI to lead WKU.
For the first time in the series, it was Western Kentucky that scored first. An error allowed Thomas Peter to reach to lead off the frame, and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. One out later, Kelly walked and Huck followed with an infield hit to deep short, scoring the run and putting WKU up, 1-0.
The Keydets struck in the fourth, when Dickinson led off with a single. One out later, Cody Holder reached on Peter's fielding error and Sheldon Shifflett followed with a single. Ray Lopez then grounded out to second, scoring Dickinson and tying the game, 1-1. The next batter, Matt Winn, struck out but attempted to reach first on a dropped third strike. WKU catcher Ryan Messex threw wildly to first, allowing Winn to reach and Holder to score. The miscue gave the Keydets a 2-1 lead.
The visitors threatened in the fifth, as Jordan Tarsovich singled to lead off the inning. One out later. Dickinson singled as well to put two on with only one out. Dickinson, however, was retired due to a baserunning miscue for the second out of the inning. Nick Dwyer walked and Cody Holder reached on an error, but Shifflett popped out to end the inning. Neither team scored again until the home sixth, when the Hilltoppers had their first three-run inning of the night to take the lead, 4-2.
WKU then added on in the seventh, when the first two hitters reached against Andrew Woods. Griffith Roark then scored on a passed ball, and one out later, Scott Wilcox added a RBI single to push the margin to four. 6-2. Huck tacked on a RBI single later in the inning to account for the final margin.
For the first time in the series, both starters got the decisions at game's end, with Henkel suffering the loss for VMI to fall to 1-2. He surrendered four runs, three earned, over 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out two. Bado notched the victory for the home team, moving to 1-1 with a six-inning effort. He allowed two runs, neither of which were earned, on six hits, striking out four and walking a quartet of Keydets as well.
VMI baseball will return to action Tuesday, as the Keydets take on the James Madison Dukes in Harrisonburg, Va. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
