Box Score

NORFOLK, Va. – Tanner Biagini was 2-for-4 with two doubles, and visiting VMI took advantage of a quick start to beat Norfolk State 4-3 on Tuesday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field.

With the win, the Keydets (6-7) improved to 13-0 all-time against NSU (3-5).

VMI took advantage of nine walks by NSU starter Horace Smith III (Emporia, Va.) to jump out to the early lead. Three of the four Keydet runs reached based via bases on balls by Smith. In the top of the second, Sam Roberts and Brian Sandridge led off the frame with back-to-back walks. Kyle Goodale knocked in Roberts with an infield single, and Graham Sullivan followed suit with an RBI single of his own to score Sandridge.

In the fourth, Ballard doubled in Sullivan, who had walked, for a 3-0 VMI lead. Tanner Biagini later scored on an NSU error to make it 4-0.

The Spartans mounted a rally, scoring twice in the sixth and once in the seventh. TiQuan Griffin (Florence, S.C.) led off the sixth with a double and scored on a wild pitch by Andrew Deal. Then with two outs, Chris Joyce (Chesapeake, Va.) doubled in John Lynch (Newport News, Va.) to bring NSU within 4-2.

The Spartans drew within 4-3 in the seventh on Griffin's sacrifice fly. But Josh McPherson and Matt Edwards held NSU scoreless over the final two frames, with Edwards notching the save.

Adam Lopez got the win for VMI, striking out seven over four scoreless innings. Smith (0-1) took the loss, allowing three earned runs (four total) in 3.2 innings. He gave up four hits and struck out four.

Six different Spartans had one hit each. Kyle Davis (Gilbert, Ariz.) struck out a season-high six in 3.2 scoreless innings of relief.

The Spartans host Princeton this Saturday and Sunday for a four-game series. The teams play a doubleheader both days beginning at 1 p.m.