Bob Helman tossed a complete game to help High Point cruise past VMI, 14-4, in the opener of a three-game Big South baseball series Saturday afternoon at Erath Field.

Matt Richardson went 4-for-5 at the plate to lead the Panthers, who took advantage of six Keydet errors and scored seven times in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.
 
Helman allowed just two earned runs in nine innings of work to improve to 2-6 on the season, while J.J. Hollenbeck (4-4) took the loss for VMI.

Seby Renta went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs to extend his hitting streak to 12 games (the longest for a Panther this season).

HPU (7-38, 2-14 Big South) scored four times in the first off Hollenbeck. Renta's single scored Matt Keever for the first run, and Corey Stang's single brought home Renta and Chris Ramirez, followed by the first of Richardson's four hits on the day, plating Stang for a 4-0 lead.

VMI (22-27, 3-16) got a run back in the top of the third when Kelly Sweppenhiser singled, advanced to third on a double by Elliott Erbe and scored on an RBI groundout by Sean Seawell.

The Panthers broke the floodgates open in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of four VMI errors in the frame to build an 11-1 lead. Richardson got things going with a single to left, Matt Calcagni reached on a throwing error, and Rey Rojas loaded the bases with an infield single off VMI reliever Richard Litwin. Keever then scored Richardson with a sacrifice fly to center, and both runners moved over on a throwing error by centerfielder B.T. Good. After Ramirez walked, Renta scored Rojas and Calcagni with a double to left, and Ramirez came around to score on the play as well.

Will Paulette then relieved Litwin and walked Stang before Chris Draska reached on a fielding error to load the bases. Renta then scored on a wild pitch before Nick Thompson singled up the middle to bring home Draska and Stang.

VMI cut the deficit to 11-2 on Sweppenhiser's eighth home run of the season in the top of the eighth. After the Panthers scored three more times in the bottom of the frame, the Keydets pushed across two runs in the top of the ninth on Sweppenhiser's two-run double which scored Good and Thane Smith.

Sweppenehiser had three hits and three RBI to lead the Keydets at the plate.

The teams play again Sunday at 1:00 pm. Matt Kniginyzky will start for the Panthers against VMI's Dave Acors. Click here for live stats.

Monday's series finale (1:00 pm) features High Point's Phil Leake against VMI's Mike Anton.

Before Monday's game, the Panthers will honor 99-year old Graham Madison, who is believed to be the oldest living High Point baseball alum. Madison graduated from HPU in 1930 and played for legendary High Point baseball (and basketball) coach Virgil Yow.