Junior right-hander Jacob Menders shut down visiting Lehigh University for nine frames, but the Mountain Hawks outlasted the VMI baseball team 1-0 in 11 innings Friday in non-conference play.
Menders and Lehigh starter Levi Stoudt were locked in a pitchers’ duel for the first seven innings. Stoudt completed seven innings, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out seven before giving way to Ethan Frohman in the bottom of the eighth. Menders completed nine frames, giving up three hits and three walks while also striking out seven. He had a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings.
The game remained scoreless until Lehigh cleanup hitter Ryan Malloy led off the top of the 11th inning with a solo home run, and Stoudt earned the win with four innings of hitless relief.
Sophomore third baseman Josh Hollifield went 3-4 on the day, including a double. Will Knight had VMI’s other hit. The Keydets (3-14) have now dropped five one-run games.
Malloy finished 3-5 with two doubles and the game-winning home run for Lehigh (6-7).
The two teams will play Saturday at 2 p.m.