VMI Downs Bulldogs, 10-3

ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? Brian Sandridge went 4-for-5 with three RBI as VMI jumped out to a 10-0 lead and coasted to a 10-3 Big South Conference victory over homestanding UNC Asheville Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs (14-24, 2-7 BSC) were limited to two hits until freshmen Danny Baatz and Chris Freeman hit their first collegiate home runs in the eighth inning.

VMI starter and winner Michael Bowman (2-3) handcuffed Asheville for most of the game. He went 7.2 innings, allowing five hits, striking out nine and walking none.

Sandridge just missed hitting for the cycle as he had two singles, a homer and a double.

The Big South-leading Keydets (17-17, 9-3 BSC) opened the scoring in the first inning when Sam Roberts singled and Mike Roberts followed with a two-run shot for a 2-0 VMI lead.

The Keydets added a solo run in the second to pad the lead to 3-0 before breaking the game open in the third with five runs. Sandridge hit a two-run homer for a 5-0 lead. Shane Geisslinger had a two-run single to finish the uprising and increase the VMI lead to 8-0.

The visitors added solo runs in fourth and sixth innings to push the lead to 10-0.

Bowman had Asheville stymied for most of the game until the Bulldogs got some power in the eighth inning. With one out, Baatz hit his first home run of the season to break the shutout and cut the lead to 10-1.

Beau Zinman followed with a single and one out later, Freeman hit his first home run over the center-field wall to make it 10-3.

Elliott Arrington was the lone Asheville player with more than one hit as he went 2-for-4 from the plate.

Tanner Biagini went 3-for-5 for VMI with an RBI.

The Bulldog bullpen did a nice job on the day. Five Asheville relievers limited the Keydets to two runs and six hits over six innings pitched.

UNC Asheville plays next at Wofford Tuesday night starting at 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Elliott Arrington

Danny Baatz

Chris Freeman

Beau Zinman

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics