LEXINGTON, Va. – The William and Mary baseball team dropped a 4-2 decision at in-state foe VMI on Tuesday night at Gray-Minor Stadium. Despite tying the contest at 1-1 in the top half of the fourth, VMI responded with two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth as it went on for the two-run victory. The setback drops the Tribe to 21-13 on the season, while VMI improves to 17-19 with the win.
Sophomore RHP J.T. Castner (2-2) allowed three earned runs in 4.1 innings of work in the setback. The Williamsburg, Va., native posted four strikeouts and registered just one walk in 21 batters faced. Freshman RHP Mitchell Aker allowed one earned run on four hits in 3.2 innings pitched.
At the plate, junior Willie Shaw led the way with a 2-for-4 effort, which included an RBI and a run scored. Sophomore Michael Katz finished the night with two hits and a run scored, while freshmen Ryan Hissey and Charley Gould each tallied a hit.
The Keydets got out in front early with a run in the first inning. Sophomore Sheldon Shifflet's two-out double to left field plated sophomore Will Connerly as VMI went ahead, 1-0.
W&M tied the affair with a two-out run of its own in the top half of the fourth. Katz kept the frame alive with a single to left field and advanced to third following Gould's single to right field. Shaw proceeded to reach base on a fielding error by the VMI second baseman as Katz crossed home plate, which tied the score at 1-1.
VMI plated two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth as it took a 3-1 advantage.
Down to its last out in the top of the ninth, Shaw gave the Green and Gold a chance with a two-out solo home run over the right field wall. The home run was Shaw's third of the season and his team leading 27th RBI of the year. With the deficit now at two and with momentum in its favor the Tribe was primed for a rally, but VMI preserved the win after retiring the next batter.
The Tribe returns to action against Norfolk State on Wednesday, April 10, with the first pitch from Plumeri Park scheduled for 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action online at TribeAthletics.com with live audio and stats.
