No. 30 V.M.I. Gets Series Sweep of CSU with 10-7 Victory

Sean Doherty had three hits

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Buccaneers tried to mount a comeback in the eighth, scoring three, but the Nation's save leader Kevin Crum shut down the Bucs to hold on to the 10-7 V.M.I. victory. The best start in school history continues for V.M.I. as they improve to 16-4 overall with a 3-0 Big South record. The Bucs fall to 11-14 with an 0-3 League mark.

The Bucs pounded out 16 hits as V.M.I. had 13, but it was the five Buccaneer errors that cost them, as five of the 10 V.M.I. runs were unearned. Sean Doherty, Ryan Smart and Lionel Greene each had three hits for CSU as 10 of the hits came from the five through nine spots in the lineup.

The Bucs jumped on top, scoring loading the bases in the first inning, scoring twice after two walks to start the bottom of the inning. The Keydets would tie things up at 2-2 in the fourth and take their first lead of the game with a three-run sixth inning. The Bucs closed the game to 5-4, but a five-run inning in the eighth by the Keydets put things out of reach for CSU.

Charleston Southern had their chances late, though, loading the bases before a squeeze attempt failed when the Bucs were unable to put the bat on the ball. After scoring three in the eighth, the tying run came to the plate in the form of Keith Stewart, with just one out in the inning. A long fly ball looked like Stewart had tied the game with one swing of the bat, but as the ball crept over the trees, the wind caught it and knocked it down on the warning track. Having fooled the base runners as well as everyone else in the stands, a relay throw in from left field caught the runner at first and ended the inning and the CSU threat.

Charleston Southern will take one day off before heading down to Patriots Point to face the College of Charleston for the third time this season. The two teams have split so far this year, with each team having held serve at their home field. The Bucs will take on Maryland Eastern-Shore at 2 p.m. at Buccaneer Field.