Brandon Angus tripled home the go-ahead run in the 16th inning, giving the VMI Keydets a lead they would not reliquish en route to a 4-2 win over the high point Panthers in Big South action Sunday in High Point, N.C. The 16-inning contest equaled the longest game in modern VMI baseball history, previously accomplished twice during the 2008 season, and is believed to be the longest Keydet game ever by time at four hours, 45 minutes.
After high point (20-16, 8-7 Big South) put the potential winning run in scoring position in the 13th, 14th and 15th innings and could not cash in, the Keydets (20-14, 8-7 Big South) did so in the 16th. David Geary led off with a walk against HPU closer John Maloney and stole second.
Angus then lofted a fly ball down the right field line that right fielder Dane McDermott made a diving attempt on, but was unable to come up with as the ball wound up just fair. Geary scored easily to give VMI the lead, and Angus would score when Eric Mayers followed with a sacrifice fly to account for the final margin, 4-2.
In the victory, the Keydets used nine pitchers, including Taylor Edens for 2 1/3 innings one day after he fired three scoreless frames. Travis Thomas went the longest of the relievers, with a 3 2/3 inning outing, his longest appearance since April of 2010.
All told, the VMI bullpen allowed 10 hits and six walks in 10 1/3 scoreless innings. Miles McQuaig picked up his first win of the year as he pitched the last 1 2/3 frames and allowed just one baserunner, while Maloney dropped to 2-3 by taking the loss for High Point.
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Chris Graham
