Score: VCU 12, Central Michigan 11
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 4-5, Central Michigan 0-4
 
The short story: Junior catcher Hunter Vay registered three hits, including a two-run, go-ahead double in the sixth inning, to lead offensive-minded VCU at The Diamond Saturday afternoon.
 
FIRST PITCH

• Vay finished his day 3-for-5 and drove in three for the Rams
• Sophomore second baseman Michael Haydak was 2-for-4 at the plate and launched his first home run of the season, a solo shot to left center in the third inning, for the Black and Gold
• VCU sophomore right fielder Logan Amiss doubled, recorded three hits and scored three times
• Freshman third baseman Tyler Locklear blasted a solo homer in the sixth for VCU, his third in two days

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU fell behind 4-0 and 5-1, but the Rams plated three in the fourth, one in the fifth and six in the sixth to take control at 12-8
• CMU led 8-6, but Locklear sparked VCU in its six-run sixth when he sent the first pitch he saw from reliever Ryan Palmblad into the parking lot beyond the left field fence. Junior designated hitter Liam Hibbits followed with a walk, and Amiss doubled. Hibbits later scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 8-8. Two batters later, Vay stroked a 1-2 pitch over the outstretched glove of the right fielder for a two-run double and a 10-8 lead. The Rams tacked on two more runs in the inning before all was said and done
• Junior right-hander Edwin Serrano worked out of a jam in the top of the ninth inning to register his first save of the year for VCU
• VCU logged 13 hits in the game and reached via base-on-balls 10 times
• Central Michigan was also hurt by a pair of errors and three wild pitches

NOTABLE

• VCU has scored 39 runs in its past three games
• The Rams have stroked 16 homers in nine games this season. VCU hit 13 in 17 contests in 2020 prior to the pandemic

NEXT UP
The Rams will head back to Lexington, Va. to face VMI on Sunday, March 7. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on ESPN+.