LEXINGTON, Va. - A two-run, eight-inning home run by Central Connecticut State first baseman Cody Lerche was the difference as the visiting CCSU Blue Devils defeated the VMI Keydets, 6-5, in the opener of a doubleheader contested Sunday at Gray-Minor Stadium in Lexington, Va.
VMI (4-5) had taken a 5-4 lead into the eighth, but Ian Glassman singled off Jonathan Kelley with one out. Taylor Edens relieved and induced a fielder's choice groundout, but Lerche followed by blasting an 0-2 pitch over the scoreboard in left-center field for the decisive home run.
The Keydets did threaten in the ninth, as Will Malbon had a infield hit and stole second with one out. Jordan Tarsovich, however, lined back to the mound as the potential winning run. CCSU (3-4) pitcher Kevin Connolly speared the liner and threw to second, catching Malbon off for a game-ending double play.
Edens took the loss thanks to Lerche's home run, falling to 0-2 on the year, and Austin Salnitis (1-0) got the win in relief. Salnitis allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings. Connolly picked up the save.
VMI took the early lead, scoring twice in the first inning. Malbon led off with a single and Tarsovich was hit by a pitch. The runners moved up on a passed ball, bringing up Matt Winn. Winn struck out, but reached first on another wild pitch that allowed Malbon to score. Tyler Tharp walked, and after two strikeouts, a third wild pitch brought home Tarsovich for a 2-0 Keydet lead.
CCSU answered with two runs in the second, but VMI grabbed the advantage in the fourth. Jacob Jaye walked, stole second and scored on an infield error to give the Keydets a 3-2 lead.
CCSU came right back with two in the fifth inning, helped by a very costly error on a ground ball that allowed both runs to score for a 4-3 lead.
The Keydets went back in front in the sixth. Malbon and Tarsovich had back to back singles to start the frame and, as Winn struck out, executed a double steal to get into scoring position. Tharp then singled home both runners for a 5-4 Keydet lead, and that was the margin until the decisive CCSU home run.
Offensively, the Keydets were led by Malbon's three hits and a pair of hits from Lopez. VMI stole six bases in the game and was not caught, but the Keydets left 15 runners on base in the loss.
Lerche went 2 for 4 with two runs scored to lead the Blue Devils.
Neither starter figured in the decision, as Brandon Barbery allowed just one earned run in six innings. He surrendered just six hits and a walk. Severino started and worked 4 1/3 frames, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. He walked four and threw four wild pitches.
