A two-run home run by VMI catcher Chase Buchanan capped a six-run comeback as the Keydets took game one of a three-game Big South Conference series against High Point Friday afternoon at Patchin Field.

The Panthers fall to 18-31 and 6-16 in league play, while VMI improves to 22-25 overall and 7-12 in the Big South.

Matt Schlanger (4-6) gave up eight runs on 11 hits, walking five and striking out two in 5.2 innings of work took the loss for HPU. Matt Kniginyzky came on in the sixth and pitched the final 2.1 innings, surrendering two runs on five hits, walking one while recording strikeouts of six of the seven outs he recorded.

J.J. Hollenbeck (3-5) came on to start the sixth and pitched three shutout innings, allowing only hit and one walk while striking out two in only his third relief appearance of the season. Jeff DeMara struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth to pick up his fifth save of the season.

Buchanan's home run, the first of his career, was one of three hit on the day by VMI, who fell behind by a 6-0 count in the fourth inning.  However, four runs in the bottom of the fourth, followed by two-run home runs by Robert Crumpler and Buchanan in the fifth and sixth innings respectively, gave the Keydets the momentum they needed to hang on for the win.

The Panthers struck first with a single tally in the game's opening frame, as Chris Ramirez doubled down the left-field line and was brought home two pitches later by a single up the middle from Mark Shorey. Shorey then extended the lead to 4-0 in the third inning, stroking his second home run of the season to right field, a three-run shot.

HPU built the lead to 6-0 in their half of the fourth inning. A leadoff double by Justin Pinyan was followed by a sacrifice bunt by Juan Carcheri.  Anthony Bell was then hit by a pitch before Pinyan scored on a groundout to third base.  With Bell on second, Ramirez laid down a bunt single allowing Bell to score the game's only unearned run.

However, the Keydets would turn the tide after that.  After recording two quick outs in the bottom of the fourth, Jacoby Fields worked the count full before delivering with a single up the middle, followed by a bunt single by B.T. Good.  With men on first and second, Elliott Erbe struck with his fourth triple of the season, a shot down the right field line to put the Keydets on the scoreboard.  After a pair of walks issued by Schlanger,

Matt Smith brought home two more runs with his single to right field, cutting the HPU advantage to 6-4.

HPU responded in the fifth with one more run, the result of three singles, the last of which by Carcheri that plated Seby Renta. That was all the offense that the Panthers could muster in the final five innings though, as the Keydet bullpen came through to slam the door.

For the Panthers offensively, Ramirez went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored, while Shorey, Renta, Pinyan and Carcheri each had two hits on the day. Shorey finished with four RBI while Pinyan also recorded a double.

A 5-4 win by visiting Radford at Liberty Friday afternoon kept VMI tied with the Highlanders for sixth place in the Big South standings. High Point is one win behind both the Keydets and Highlanders, while a loss tomorrow by HPU would officially eliminate them from qualifying for the tournament. VMI and Radford are scheduled for a season-ending three-game series at Radford next weekend that could determine one of the final qualifying spots for the championship.

VMI and High Point return to action Saturday afternoon, with first pitch for game two scheduled for 1:00 pm at Patchin Field.