The VMI bullpen scattered three hits over 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief and Peyton Maddox hit his first career home run in the eighth inning, helping the VMI Keydets down the Lafayette Leopards, 4-2, in NCAA baseball action Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Va.
With Lafayette (0-2) leading by a run in the top of the sixth, Josh Worthley relieved Brandon Barbery and retired two hitters with runners at second and third and only one out. The Keydets (4-3) then scored twice in the bottom of the inning, including the eventual game-winning run on a balk, to take a lead they would not surrender. Maddox hit a solo home run in the eighth to account for the final margin.
On the mound, it was Worthley who picked up the victory, as he worked a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Jack Gomersall worked the ninth for his first career save, while starter Mitch Leeds allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings to take the loss for Lafayette. Brandon Barbery allowed two runs in 5 1/3 for the Keydets and took a no-decision.
Lafayette had the first true threat of the day, when John Selsor led off with a single. Barbery then misplayed a sacrifice bunt attempt to put two on, and Michael Coniglio bunted for a hit to load the bases.
Dan Leckie then hit a one-hop smash to Jacob Jaye’s right, however, that Jaye picked and threw to second for a force play. Selsor then broke for the plate and Nathan Eaton’s throw was in plenty of time to complete the unconventional 6-4-2 double play. Barbery induced a groundout to end the inning, and a RBI double for David Geary in the bottom half put the Keydets up, 1-0.
The visitors took the lead in the fifth, thanks to a RBI groundout by Coniglio and a RBI double by Leckie. VMI stemmed the tide on another unconventional double play, however, as with one out, Eaton caught a foul pop well down the right field line. He was able to make a strong, accurate throw to the plate to get the tagging Leckie and end the inning.
After Worthley evaded trouble in the top of the sixth, the Keydets took the lead for good in the bottom half. Will Malbon was hit by a pitch with two outs and stole second. Eaton then tripled up the alley in left center, tying the score at 2, and reliever Trevor Houck promptly balked Eaton home to give VMI a 3-2 lead.
Worthley gave up two doubles with one out in the seventh, but no runs scored and Kyle Staats got the final two outs of the frame to preserve the lead. Blaine Lafin and Gomersall allowed one baserunner apiece over the final two frames, and the solo home run by Maddox in the eighth provided the insurance as the Keydets went to 2-0 at home on the young season.
Offensively, Matt Pita had VMI’s lone two-hit game, while Eaton reached base three times and scored two of VMI’s four runs. Four Lafayette players had two-hit days to account for eight of their team’s nine hits.
VMI baseball will return to action looking to sweep the series with Lafayette Sunday at 1 p.m. at Gray-Minor Stadium.
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