BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A strong performance from the pitching staff and a late home run by Colton Ledbetter lifted the Samford baseball team to a 4-2 win over VMI in the Southern Conference opener for both teams Friday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 14-13 overall and 1-0 in SoCon play. VMI falls to 9-22 overall and 0-1 in league action.
 
After giving up a run and three walks in the first inning, Samford starting pitcher Jacob Cravey rebounded to toss 5.2 strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Alex Goff (3-1) got the win for the Bulldogs, pitching 2.1 innings, giving up just one hit. Carson Hobbs picked up his fifth save of the season, tossing the final inning.
 
"It was tight early, and Jacob just didn't have it right out of the gate, but he went out there in the second, got a three-up and three-down and really just kind of settled everything down," Samford head coach Tony David said. "And then he fought like crazy out there and ended up getting us two outs into the sixth inning and then Goff came in in a bases loaded jam and just did a great job of getting a ground ball."
 
The Bulldogs played another errorless game defensively. On the offensive side, Ledbetter went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Stephen Klein and Garrett Staton also had an RBI each for the Bulldogs.
 
For VMI offensively, Zac Morris drove in two runs in a 1-for-3 performance. Traylor Duval (0-1) took the loss for the Keydets, tossing 1.0 inning, allowing one run.
 
"There is no scenario where we can be good or better than good without us being great on defense, and it was a great defensive night for us," David said. "Towns (King) got a good lead off at-bat to draw that walk with a full count in the eighth and then obviously a good swing by Ledbetter."
 
The teams went into the bottom of the eighth inning tied at 2-2. Towns King led the inning off with a walk. With one out in the inning, Ledbetter hit his sixth home run of the season to center field for a 4-2 lead. Hobbs retired the Keydets in order in the top of the ninth inning to finish off the two-run Samford win.
 
VMI got on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the first inning. Morris singled to right field to drive in Justin Starke for a 1-0 VMI lead.
 
Samford tied the score with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Garrett Howe scored from third base on a sacrifice fly by Klein to knot the score at 1-1.
 
The Keydets took the lead again with a run in the top of the third inning. Starke scored from third base when Morris reached base on a fielder's choice for a 2-1 VMI lead.
 
Samford came back to tie the score again with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. King scored on a sacrifice fly by Staton to make the score 2-2 and set the stage for the game-winning runs in the eighth inning.
 
Samford and VMI will continue their series with a game Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field. Admission to the game is free.




 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS
For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).