Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)

LEXINGTON, Va. - Host VMI (9-5) notched 11 strikeouts and held Binghamton baseball (4-9) in check in a 4-1 win in the rubber game of the weekend series at Gray-Minor Stadium.

The Keydets outhit BU 11-5 and took advantage of a season-high three defensive errors by the normally slick-fielding Bearcats.

Binghamton got on the board first, thanks to back-to-back extra-base hits in the opening inning. Senior center fielder Bill Bereszniewicz ripped a one-out triple and came in to score when senior second baseman Daniel Nevares dropped a double down the right field line.

But from there it was all VMI. The hosts tied the game on two singles, a walk and an error in their half of the first and then took the lead for good with two runs on two hits in the third. The third-inning uprising was aided by a walk and two more errors. The Keydets added an insurance run on three hits in the fifth.

The Bearcats had a good chance in the seventh after junior first baseman Brian Ruby hit a one-out double to center field. but back-to-back called strikeouts ended the frame. In the ninth, junior left fielder Jake Thomas singled with one out but VMI turned a game-ending 5-4-3 double play.

Junior Mike Kaufman went 4.1 innings in his first start of the season. Kaufman (L, 1-1) scattered six hits and three earned runs. Junior Anthony Grillini struck out two in 2.1 scoreless innings and sophomore Mike Bunal fanned all four batters he faced.

Binghamton begins America East play next weekend with a three-game series against conference newcomer UMass Lowell. Due to field conditions in Lowell, the series is being moved to Franklin Pierce University (N.H.). The teams will play a twinbill Saturday followed by a single game on Sunday.