The High Point University baseball team opened Big South Conference play with a hard-fought 5-4 loss to VMI on Friday night at Coy O. Williard Sr. Stadium.

The Panthers (4-15, 0-1 Big South) grabbed an early lead before VMI (6-12, 1-0) mounted a late charge to take the series opener between the two squads.

The Keydets were led by a strong pitching performance by senior starter Trey Barham. Barham (2-2), who held the Panthers scoreless over the final six innings, scattered five hits in a complete game outing that included seven strikeouts.

Randy Schwartz had a pair of hits to lead the Panthers on offense. Shane Geisslinger and Sam Roberts each tallied two hits to pace the Keydets at the plate.
 
VMI struck first plating a run in their opening at-bat when AJ Yoder scored on an RBI groundout by Tanner Biagini. Yoder singled and moved to third when Mike Roberts lined a ball off HPU pitcher Ryan Basham's leg that was eventually fielded by shortstop Alfie Wheeler, but his throw to first went wide putting runners in scoring position. Biagini followed with his run scoring grounder.

High Point rallied with three runs in the second behind two hits and a pair of VMI errors to earn a 3-1 lead. Billy Alvino reached when Jordan Ballard muffed his slow roller to first. After Randy Schwartz had an infield single, Chris Norwood attempted a sacrifice bunt but reached base safely when Keydet second baseman Shane Geisslinger dropped the ball while covering first. With the bases loaded, Max Fulginiti singled home one run. Drew Geissinger grounded into a double-play forcing home the Panthers second run and Norwood scored from third on a wild pitch for the final run of the frame.

HPU added a run to their lead in the third as Alvino delivered a run scoring double to centerfield.

The Keydets got a run back in the fourth inning trimming the HPU lead to 4-2. Thane Smith walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Basham. After moving to third on a groundout, he crossed the plate when Sam Roberts reached base on an HPU error. Basham allowed just four hits and recorded four strikeouts in five solid innings of work.

VMI retook the lead 5-4 in the sixth with three runs off HPU reliever Chad Jennings (0-1), who suffered the loss. Biagini led off the inning with a double followed by a walk for Ballard. Smith then cleared the bases with a triple to left center tying the score at four. Jeremy Berg relieved Jennings and set down the next three batters, but Smith was able to score on a sacrifice fly.

With two outs in the eighth, VMI looked for an insurance run after loading the bases with a walk and two singles. However, Berg ended the threat by inducing a grounder to second for the third out. Berg allowed just three hits and no runs in a very effective relief appearance for High Point.

High Point and VMI conclude their weekend set with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.