An 11-run seventh inning broke open a close game and sent the VCU Rams over the VMI Keydets, 18-0, in non-conference baseball action Tuesday at The Diamond in Richmond, Va.
The first 11 hitters reached in the breakthrough inning, thanks to nine hits, a walk and two errors. The Rams (12-10) managed only one extra base hit in the inning, but it was a three-run double by James Bunn that nearly capped the scoring.
Starter Matt Eagle (0-2) took the loss as he was charged with two runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out one. Sean Thompson (2-2) carried a no-hitter into the seventh and allowed only two baserunners in 6 2/3 innings.
VCU drew first blood in the second inning, when Cody Acker led off with a walk. Brett Hileman walked as well and a sacrifice bunt moved up both runners. Daane Berezo singled home Acker and a Logan Farrar sacrifice fly plated Hileman, giving the Rams a 2-0 advantage.
The Rams knocked starter Eagle out of the game in the fourth, but reliever Micah Gorman induced a 4-6-3 double play with the bases loaded to prevent any runs from scoring.
A RBI double by Acker made it 3-0 in the fifth and was the last score before the 11-run explosion. The home team scored four runs in the eighth to account for the final margin.
Brandon Angus singled as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and played in the field in the bottom of the inning. It was Angus’ first appearance since breaking his hand in the third game of the season.
VMI baseball will return to action Wednesday, when the Keydets play host to Old Dominion at Gray-Minor Stadium. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
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Chris Graham
