The Basics

• Score: VCU 1, Dallas Baptist 2
• Records: VCU (39-23), Dallas Baptist (46-14)
• Location: Horner Ballpark – Dallas, Texas
• The Short Story: For the first time since May 5 VCU found itself on the losing end of a baseball game, falling to Dallas Baptist 2-1 in the first NCAA Regional Championship game. In the process, the Patriots have forced a decisive seventh game with the winner advancing to super regional play. Brandon Koch of DBU was the star of the game, throwing 4.2 innings out of the bullpen while allowing just two baserunners and striking out seven.
  
  

How It Happened

• After taking early leads in the first two regional games, VCU found itself on the receiving end of some early runs today. Dallas Baptist plated two in the first on a couple of RBI singles.
• VCU got one of those runs back in the bottom of the second when Vimael Machin scored on a ground ball to second base that ended up being a double play.
• In the top of the fifth Matt Lees came in from the bullpen, replacing starter Matt Blanchard, and he notched his 119^th career appearance, tying him for the most in VCU history. It was an easy one too; Lees threw one pitch and induced a ground ball to third base that was snagged by a diving Matt Davis for the third out.
• Lees worked out of a jam in the next inning as well. The Patriots loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but a ground ball ended the threat.
• Despite Dallas Baptist leaving 15 men on base the Rams were not able to figure out Koch and ended up falling 2-1.

Up Next

• VCU and DBU will square off again in a matter of hours to determine who will advance to super regional play next weekend.