LEXINGTON, Va. – The Campbell Camels took the lead with three runs in the ninth inning and a rally by the VMI Keydets in the bottom half fell just short, as Campbell held on for a 3-2 win Saturday night in the middle game of the Big South weekend series between the programs. It was VMI's first loss this season when leading entering the ninth inning, as the Keydets had been 20-0 in those situations.
With VMI (22-21, 9-14 Big South) nursing a one-run lead headed to the ninth, Jonathan Kelley (1-1) walked Danny Pardo on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the frame. Steven Leonard was then hit by a pitch and Matt Nadolski tied the game with a double to center field that scored Pardo. Berkley Hawkins relieved Kelley and gave up a sacrifice fly to Kyle Leady before Will Albertson singled home the final run of the inning, as Nadolski scored to make it 3-1, CU.
The Keydets rallied in the bottom half against Campbell (33-16, 16-7 BSC) closer Ryan Thompson. Matt Winn led off with a double down the right field line and Josh Worthley came on to pinch-hit. On a 1-0 pitch, Worthley bounced a high chopper down the third base line that went just foul, narrowly missing a possible double. He would eventually fly out for the first out.
Will Malbon then bunted for a single, putting the tying runs on base, and pinch-hitter Tyler Tharp drove home Winn with a RBI ground out. Gary LeClair pinch-ran for Tharp, but David Geary flied out to left field on a 2-1 pitch to end the game as VMI fell, 3-2.
Due to the loss, VMI could not capitalize on a spectacular outing by starter Connor Bach, who got no decision despite allowing just one hit over eight shutout innings. Bach allowed only a two-out double to Nadolski in the first, in addition to four walks. He struck out nine Camels as well. Offensively, Matt Winn chipped in with a 4 for 4 night, his first career four-hit game.
Nadolski led CU offensively by going 2 for 4 with two doubles, while starter Hector Cedano did not get a decision after allowing one run over 6 1/3 innings of work.
VMI outhit CU 10-4 in the game, but the Keydets went just 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
After Bach worked around Nadolski's two-out double in the first, VMI threatened in the bottom half. David Geary, who was leading off for the first time in his collegiate career, walked and went to second on a Cedano throwing error. Brandon Angus then advanced him to third with an infield out, but Jordan Tarsovich grounded out in his first at-bat outside the leadoff spot since March of 2013. Cameron Walter was then retired to end the inning.
The Keydets had another chance in the second, when Eric Mayers and Winn started the frame with back to back singles. Mayers advanced to third on a fielding error by CU left fielder Pardo on Winn's hit, putting runners at the corners with no outs. Thomas Stallings, however, struck out, and Malbon hit into a double play that was called due to interference on Winn's slide at second base.
VMI put two on with two out in the fourth, but could not take advantage as Stallings fanned against Cedano. The Keydets finally broke through in the fifth. Tanner Dofflemyer doubled with one out and one out later, Angus was intentionally walked. Tarsovich followed with a ground ball deep in the shortstop hole that went for a hit, and Walter drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run and make it 1-0, Keydets.
Bach, meanwhile, continued to cruise through the Camel batting order. CU got a runner in scoring position in the sixth, thanks to a walk and a wild pitch, but could not take advantage. Bach then struck out four of the next six hitters, including fanning the side in the eighth during a consistent, moderate drizzle as VMI took a 1-0 lead to the bottom half of that frame. The skies then opened up and the rain increased, forcing a delay of one hour, nine minutes and setting up the ninth-inning drama.
Kelley took the loss for the Keydets, as he was charged with all three runs and did not retire a hitter. Bobby Thorson worked 1 2/3 perfect innings of relief to move to 3-5 for the visitors, and Thompson picked up his 14th save.
VMI baseball will return to action Sunday for the series finale against Campbell. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
