CSU Falls to VMI, 4-1

Senior Jordan Haar scored CSU's only run

CHARLESTON, S.C. - CSU (19-18) struggled to score early and it cost them as VMI (18-17) took game one of the three-game series, 4-1, Friday afternoon at Buccaneer Field.

Seniors Jordan Haar and Brad Woods led the Bucs, each recording two hits on the day. CSU starter Josh Evans (6-2) took the loss for the Bucs, going six innings, giving up four runs on five hits. VMI starter Jimmy Thoms (5-3) got the win for the Keydets, pitching seven scoreless innings.

Evans pitched a perfect game until the fifth inning when he walked Elliot Erbe to lead off the inning and give the Keydets their first base runner of the game. Erbe stole second and reached third on a fielder’s choice ground ball back to the pitcher. A wild pitch by Evans allowed him to score. The rally wouldn’t end there as VMI ended up loading the bases with nobody out. Senior Billy Dalton did his best to thwart the VMI rally as he caught a line drive from Shane Geisslinger and stepped on second base to double off B.T. Good. A short fly ball to Jay Reynolds ended the inning with VMI in the lead 2-0.

VMI wasn’t done as Robert Crumpler hit a two-run homerun in the sixth inning to put the Keydets up 4-0.

CSU tried to get back in the game in the eighth inning when Haar hit a double into left field and then scored on an error by shortstop Matt Smith off a sharply hit ground ball by Senior Brian Sole. That was all the offense that CSU could find, as Woods hit a deep fly ball for the third out of the inning.

The Bucs would threaten again in the bottom of the ninth, but with two on and nobody out, pinch hitter Jeff Kolhagen hit into a double play, and Billy Dalton ended the game with a pop fly to centerfield. CSU left eight runners on base in the contest.

The two teams will face each other again Saturday in a double-header beginning at noon.