Bucs Split Doubleheader with VMI, Take Series 2-1

Jesse Cadenhead set new career records for innings pitched in a single game and strikeouts in a single game. He is the first Buc this season to pitch all 9 innings of a game.

CHARLESTON, SC- After postponing their Saturday game due to rain, the Buccanners (12-15, 7-4) and Keydets (11-14, 5-3) took the field for a double header with the Bucs leading the series 1-0. The Buccaneers split the double header, dropping the first and winning the second, to take the series advantage 2-1.  The Buccaneer wins puts and end to a seven game winning run by the Keydets over the Bucs, and is the first time in two season that the Bucs have avoided a sweep by VMI.

The Bucs dropped the first game 5-11 with the Keydets outhitting the Bucs 18-6.  The Bucs chance in the bottom of the ninth after Keydet pitcher Adam Kruithof faced three batters, walking two and hitting one with no outs.  But even after a pitching change, the Bucs would be unable to capitalize with three Bucs striking out in a row to leave the bases loaded.

 Keydet opener, Chris Hinderson would tally the win, his second of the season, in 7.0 innings of work.  Henderson faced 33 batters, allowing five hits and retiring three.  The Bucs’ opener, Charlie McCready would tally the loss in 5.0 innings of work facing 29 batters and striking out four.

 In the same fashion as Friday, the Keydets took and early 4-0 jump in the second inning, and adding another in the third before the Bucs were able to get their first runs crossed in the bottom of the third.  The Bucs two runs in the third came after capitalizing on a Keydet error allowing catcher Blake Hunt to reach.  Hunt advanced to third on hit by pitch to center fielder Tom Burkett to load the bases.  Hunt would advance home to give the Bucs their first run of the afternoon when first baseman Nick Chinners was the second batter in a row to be hit by a pitch.  Tyler Thornburg would follow at the plate with a walk to send home Mark Perry for the Bucs’ second run.  

 The Keydets would put another two runs up in the fourth and four in the eighth, while the Bucs would add single runs in the fifth, seventh and eighth.  Burkett would cross for his first run of the afternoon in the fifth, while Scotty Radabaugh and Bentley Christmas scored in the seventh and eighth, respectively. 

Game One Box Score

Looking to take the series for the first time in two seasons, the Bucs jumped out early in the second game of the afternoon scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. The lead was the first time the Bucs led in the weekend series, and they wouldn’t look back taking the win 7-2, while holding the Keydets scoreless until the seventh inning.

The Bucs worked hard in the second game, totaling seven innings of four Keydet batters or less going three-for-three in three innings, three-for-four in four innings, and retiring the first batter in all seven of those same innings.

Buc opener, Jesse Cadenhead (2-2), worked all 9.0 innings and is the first Buc this season to go a full game. Cadenhead also set a new career record for innings pitched in a single game and strikeouts, retiring 12 batters in his outing. The Keydets’ opener Jeremy Brown (1-5) would tally the loss in 2.1 innings of work before leaving the game with an apparent injury to his throwing arm.

The Bucs first two runs of the game came on a two-out 2RBI single from Thornburg to bring home Dolan and Radabaugh for the quick advantage. The Bucs would add single runs in the fourth and fifth innings as well. Dolan would bring in his second run of the game on and RBI single from Chinners after leading off the inning with a double. Senior Mark Perry would reach on a base hit in the bottom of the fifth and round the bases on a RBI double from designated hitter Derek Smith, who smacked a ball down the edge right field line, giving the Bucs a 4-0 lead.

The Bucs would continue to hold the Keydets scoreless before adding another three in the bottom of the sixth for a 7-0 advantage. With one Bucs retired, Thornburg stretch out a double and round the bases on a single from senior Kory Morian, but Morian would be caught in a back and forth battle between first and second, eventually being tagged on his way back to first for the second out of the inning. The Bucs however, would go on a two-out rally scoring two more runs. Senior Jake Cox would cross home on a RBI double from Perry after being walked, while Perry would score at the end of inning on a Keydet catcher error for the Bucs’ seventh run of the game.

The Keydets would tally their first run in the seventh inning on a two-out sacrifice fly from designated hitter Justin Toppings. VMI would add one more in the top of the ninth on another two-out RBI double from Brian Sandridge.

Game Two Box Score

The Bucs will be back in action in Tuesday afternoon for a game against College of Charleston at Buccaneer Ballpark. Fist pitch is slated for 3 p.m.