The Binghamton University baseball team took both ends of a non-conference doubleheader Saturday at VMI, 4-2 and 8-4.
VMI pushed two runs across in the bottom of the second inning of the opener to take a 2-0 lead. The Keydets loaded the bases with one out, scoring the first run on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Callen Nuccio. The second run scored on a double steal as Don Goodes stole home.
The Bearcats answered with two in the top of the third on a two-run home run from Daniel Franchi. Sean Trenholm delivered a two-run pinch-hit home run in the eighth that provided the difference. VMI left 11 runners stranded on base, compared to six for Binghamton.
Junior right-hander Jacob Menders was the tough-luck loser in the opener, working 7 1/3 innings, allowing just five hits, two walks and three runs while striking out four. Jake Huggins finished 3-4 with a stolen base.
In the nightcap, the Bearcats opened a 3-0 lead in the top of the third, one scoring on another home run by Franchi. Huggins drove in Nuccio in the bottom of the third to cut the edge to 3-1. VMI trailed 8-2 entering the final frame, and scored two and loaded the bases with the tying run at the plate and two outs. Binghamton squashed the threat with a strikeout to end the game.
Cody Warner hit a solo home run to lead off the ninth and Nuccio reached base three times and stole a base. Huggins finished 2-5 with a double and Michael Spence threw 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing no hits and no walks. Shane Marshall went 3-5 with three runs and two doubles for Binghamton (3-6).
VMI (3-11) will square off with the Bearcats Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Chris Graham
