LEXINGTON, Va. – SIUE baseball won its 20th game of the year Friday, did all of its scoring in the top of the first inning, blanking VMI 5-0 in the opener of a three-game series at Gray-Minor Stadium.
The Cougars are now 20-12. VMI fell to 18-16.
"Every weekend is important," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "To come away with the game one win is big."
With one out in the first, Avery Owusu-Asiedu drilled his sixth home run of the year following a double by Brennan Orf and a single by Brady Bunten to put the Cougars up 3-0. Kyle Ratliff followed with a walk before Ole Arntson homered for the first time this season to extend the SIUE advantage to 5-0.
"Offensively it was great to come out with the quick start," Lyons said. "We were able to string some hits together and got a couple of big swings from Avery and Ole."
VMI starter Andrew Jones (0-1) lasted just one-third of an inning, surrendering all five runs before the Keydets' bullpen kept SIUE off the board for the final 8 2/3 innings.
For the Cougars, Tyler DeLong (4-2) turned his second consecutive strong start throwing six shutout innings, allowing five hits. He struck out eight and walked two. He has thrown 13 2/3 shutout innings over his last two starts.
Jacob Kampf collected his third save of the year with three shutout innings. He struck out four.
"It was a great outing for our pitchers," Lyons said. "It was great work by Tyler in the start and Jacob coming out of the pen."
SIUE outhit VMI 8-7. Bunten and Arntson each finished with two hits.
The Cougars and Keydets will finish the series with a doubleheader Saturday.
"VMI is a quality opponent," Lyons said. "We know it will be tough with the doubleheader tomorrow."
