HPU Baseball Scores Late To Win Pitching Duel Over VMI, 2-1

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University baseball team broke a 1-1 tie with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning on its way to a 2-1 win over VMI in the first game of the weekend series on Friday night in Williard Stadium. Junior Dane McDermott scored the first run of the game and made several key defensive plays in the win.

“This was a great win in a very well pitched ballgame,” head coach Craig Cozart said. “John McGillicuddy has a tendency to show up in big time situations. I am very proud of his performance tonight which also allows us to utilize our bullpen to its fullest this weekend. I am very proud of our defense tonight, especially Dane McDermott who made two spectacular plays. John Maloney also did a good job, coming in and taking care of business in the ninth again. This is a good formula for us moving forward.”

High Point loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning as junior Spencer Angelis walked, junior Josh Spano hit a bunt single and redshirt-junior Blake Hutton was internationally walked. Junior Tony Fortier-Bensen then hit a slow roller between third and short to score Angelis for the go-ahead run as the Keydets could only get an out at second.

Senior John Maloney pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out two, to pick up his seventh save of the season.

High Point improves to 20-14 overall and 8-5 in the Big South with the win over the Keydets, its fifth-straight in conference action. VMI drops to 18-14 overall and 6-7 in the Big South.

Junior Conor Lourey picked up the win after pitching the final third of an inning in the eighth. Junior John McGillicuddy started for High Point and pitched 7-2/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run on three hits and two walks while striking out a career-high eight.

Reed Garrett took the loss for VMI, dropping to 4-4 on the season. Garrett pitched seven innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out three. Garrett exited the game with the score tied 1-1 after giving up the walk to Angelis in the eighth. Keydet reliever Rian Ellis took over on the mound and allowed the inherited run to score, tagging Garrett with the loss.

High Point got on the board with a run in the first inning as each of the first three HPU batters reached against Garrett. McDermott walked to lead off the first and moved to second on a wild pitch. After an error on a groundball by senior Kyle Brandenburg advanced McDermott to third, freshman Josh Greene hit a single through the infield to plate the first run.

VMI tied the game in the seventh; taking advantage of two Panther miscues. Eric Mayers scored the run after reaching on a walk. The VMI left fielder stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Spano. Mayers scored to tie the game one batter later on a wild pitch by McGillicuddy.

McDermott made two fantastic defensive plays in the eighth inning to help preserve the 1-1 tie. The HPU right fielder got the first out of the inning with a diving catch then threw out the potential go-ahead run at home on a single by VMI’s Brandon Angus for the final out of the inning.

High Point and VMI will return to Williard Stadium for the second of three games on Saturday, April 12, at 6 p.m. Senior Mike Krumm will start for the Panthers who will try and clinch their fourth conference series of the season with a win.