Solid pitching not enough to save Rams

Freshman pitcher Phillip Deane (Richmond, Va./Varina) went seven innings and allowed only two runs, but it wasn’t enough as the Rams fell to VMI 3-1 Tuesday night.

VMI scored two runs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. During the next four innings, the score remained the same. VCU was only able to muster five hits on the night.

VCU scored its lone run of the game on a RBI triple by senior John Leonard (Virginia Beach, Va./ Kellam). It appeared that Leonard tied the game when he scored from third base on a sacrifice fly by Justin Wright (Yorktown, Va./Grafton), but VMI’s coach appealed the call because he believed that Leonard left third base too early. The call was overturned, Leonard was called out and the score remained 2-1. The series of events ended the inning for the Rams and all of the momentum that was built. After the call, the Rams were unable to recover.

The Keydets extended their lead to 3-1 in the top half of the eighth inning. VCU had one more chance to tie the game in the ninth. With two men on base and one out, designated hitter M.L. Morgan (Petersburg, Va./Dinwiddie) struck out looking. The game ended as Leonard popped out to centerfield. The Rams return to action again on Friday as they go on the road to Hofstra.