Trailing 9-3 heading into the ninth inning Wednesday night, the VMI baseball team almost came the whole way back, but James Madison University held on for a 9-8 victory in non-conference play.
Will Knight led off with a double for VMI to start the ninth frame, and following a JMU error, Josh Hollifield hit an RBI single. Cody Warner walked to load the bases and Don Goodes drew a walk as well to cut the score to 9-5. The Dukes recorded two outs, but the Keydet scoring continued on a Nathan Loyd base on balls. Callen Nuccio was hit by a pitch, and Knight drew another walk to bring the score to 9-8 with two outs and the bases loaded. JMU relief pitcher Lliam Grubbs induced a ground out to end the game.
VMI had seven hits and took 11 free passes on the evening. Hollifield was 2-5, while Knight went 1-4 with two walks and two runs scored. Warner was 1-3 with two walks and Jake Huggins reached base three times. Nuccio and Goodes each had a hit and a walk.
Derek Tremblay and Corey Johnston each threw scoreless innings of relief.
Brady Harju was 3-3 for JMU (18-8), while Kyle Novak was 2-4 with two runs, three RBI and a home run. Trevon Dabney had a triple and a home run.
VMI (5-20) hosts Samford University (Ala.) this weekend in a Southern Conference series Friday (6 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (noon).
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Chris Graham
