LEXINGTON, Va. – The William and Mary baseball team dropped a 5-1 decision on the road to in-state rival VMI on Tuesday night. Junior Nick Thompson paced the Tribe offense, going 3-for-5 in the game. With the loss, the Tribe falls to 20-11, while VMI improves to 17-13.

William and Mary opened the scoring with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Sophomore Charley Gould led off the frame with a solo shot over the left field wall. Gould's third home run of the season lifted the Green and Gold to a 1-0 lead.

VMI responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. David Geary started the rally with a single up the middle. The next batter, Brandon Angus tripled off of the center field wall, scoring Geary. After an out, Cameron Walter flew out to right field, but it was deep enough to score Angus, giving the Keydets a 2-1 advantage.

The Keydets tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Eric Mayers hit a one out single through the middle. The next batter, Thomas Stallings doubled to right center field, scoring Mayers, making the score 3-1.

VMI added two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs, Stallings hit a line drive home run over the left field wall, giving the Keydets a 5-1 advantage.

Junior Bryson Kauhaahaa made the start for the Tribe going three innings, allowing one hit, and no runs. He didn't factor in the decision. VMI's Ryan Bennett earned his first win of the season, going four innings, allowing one run, and had four strikeouts. Sophomore Aaron Fernandez was saddled with his second loss of the season for the Tribe.

William and Mary returns to action tomorrow, April 9 when they host Norfolk State at Plumeri Park. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. The Tribe then hits the road for the first time during conference play when they travel to James Madison. The series kicks off on Friday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m.