The George Washington Colonials scored the final seven runs of the game to overcome a four-run deficit and prevail, 8-5, over the VMI Keydets in the middle game of a three-game series contested Saturday in Arlington, Va. The result evened the series at one game apiece.
GW (8-11) trailed by four entering the fourth, but took a one-run lead on a two-run double by catcher Brandon Chapman in the sixth off VMI (9-8) starter Zak Kent. The Keydets got the tying run to third with one out in the eighth, but Matt Pita and Jacob Jaye were retired and GW added a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to account for the final margin.
The winning pitcher was Andrew Wheeler (1-0), who helped turn the tide of the contest by allowing just a hit and a walk over 4 1/3 innings of relief. Kent allowed six runs on eight hits in six innings and took the loss (2-3), while Isaiah Pasteur was credited with his first save.
The Keydets took the early lead, scoring three runs in the second sparked by a two-run single by Pita. VMI added on a pair of runs in the third on a two-run single by Nathan Eaton and took a 5-1 lead in the process.
The visitors then put two on with nobody out in the fourth and had a chance to blow open the game, but Wheeler entered and did not allow a hit until the eighth inning, allowing GW to rally. A single run in the fourth and two in the fifth set the stage for Chapman’s go-ahead sixth-inning double.
Offensively, Eaton led the way for VMI by going 2 for 4 with two RBI and a pair of stolen bases, stretching his SoCon-leading total to 13. Also of note was that VMI catcher Peyton Maddox received his first full day off since becoming the starting Keydet backstop on opening day, 2016.
Four GW players had two hits apiece to lead the home team.
VMI and George Washington wrap up their series Sunday at noon.
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