ROCK HILL, S.C. – In a game marked by momentum changes throughout, the Winthrop Eagles scored three runs in the seventh inning to take a lead they would not relinquish, en route to a 6-3 win over the VMI Keydets in Big South action Saturday in Rock Hill, S.C. The game was VMI's first loss this season when the Keydets had led at the conclusion of any inning.
With the game tied 3-3, number nine hitter Kyle Edwards led off the Winthrop seventh with a single. Leighton Daniels then put a bunt down on the first base side that Rian Ellis was unable to field. The play went for a hit for Daniels, but Cody Dolan followed by bunting into a fielder's choice. Travis Thomas relieved Ellis and gave up a RBI single to TJ Olesczuk, scoring Daniels and giving Winthrop a 4-3 lead. Babe Thomas walked and John Menken followed with a RBI single off Berkley Hawkins to make it 5-3, WU. Thomas then scored on a wild pitch to cap the scoring and account for the final margin, 6-3.
The victory moved Winthrop (20-26, 11-9 Big South) two games ahead of the Keydets (22-18, 9-11 BSC) for the sixth spot in the Big South standings as Travis Shelley picked up the win in relief. Shelley allowed only one hit over the final 2 1/3 innings, while Ellis (0-2) was charged with the loss after allowing two runs in 2/3 of an inning.
Much like Friday's series opener, Saturday's game was scoreless early but on this day, the Keydets broke through in the fifth. Cameron Walter led off with a walk and two outs later, moved to second on a passed ball. Will Malbon then walked and Tanner Dofflemyer followed with a sharp single through the right side, scoring Walter to make it 1-0.
Malbon moved to third and Dofflemyer to second on the play, and that proved critical moments later. Jason Driver was brought in to pitch for WU and he bounced a 2-2 pitch to Jordan Tarsovich that wound up caught in the gear of Eagle catcher Thomas. VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry came out of the dugout and conferred with home plate umpire Glen Barham, and after Barham met with his fellow umpires, both VMI runners were allowed to advance due to rule 6, section 4, paragraph D of the NCAA baseball rule book. Malbon scored on the play to bump the VMI lead to 2-0.
Winthrop got a run back in the fifth on Edwards' first home run of the year and tacked on two more in the sixth. Despite an outfield assist by Will Malbon, who threw out Olesczuk at home, RBI singles by Brad Kackza and Thomas gave the Eagles a 3-2 lead.
The Keydets tied it in the top of the seventh and Malbon was at the center of the rally again. With two outs, the freshman walked and Dofflemyer followed with a single. Shelley relieved Driver and was greeted with a RBI single by Tarsovich, knotting the score at 3. David Geary reached on a error to load the bases, but Brandon Angus grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning and set up the decisive Winthrop seventh.
At the plate, Dofflemyer led VMI with a 2 for 3 day while Daniels collected three hits to pace the home team.
Neither starter figured in the decision, as Connor Bach gave up two runs in five-plus innings. He gave up six hits and struck out five, while Zach Sightler allowed just one hit in 4 2/3 innings. Sightler gave up two runs, one earned in his no-decision.
VMI baseball closes out the series against Winthrop Sunday, facing the Eagles at 1 p.m.
