The baseball team held a slim 3–0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning of its game against Empire 8 Conference opponent Stevens Institute of Technology yesterday. But the floodgates opened in that inning, as 11 runs crossed home plate in the bottom frame.

Neither team scored following the sixth inning, as the Blue and Gold won their fourth straight game and improved their overall record to 22—8—1.

In that critical sixth inning, 10 different Bombers scored a run. The South Hill squad also capitalized on numerous Stevens mistakes. The Ducks gave up three walks, two passed balls, two wild pitches and hit two batters.

Senior second baseman Matt Keller, who went 4-for-4 from the plate with three doubles, said it was good for the team to have such a big inning.

“We’ve been struggling a little bit offensively the past week or so, so it’s definitely good to break out,” he said.

Keller’s three doubles tie him for the program’s single season record of 18, which three former players share.

The South Hill squad’s pitchers also turned in an impressive performance holding Stevens five hits. Junior Pat Lemmo started and pitched seven shutout innings, holding the Ducks to just four hits while striking out seven. Sophomore David Jasukonis and senior Ian Rebhan each pitched one inning to preserve the shutout.

Head Coach George Valesente said the pitchers’ performance and the team’s sure- handed defense was critical to the sweep of Stevens.

“We pitched well and played good defense all weekend,” he said. “That was key.”

The Blue and Gold travel to St. Lawrence University on Wednesday for a non-conference matchup against the Saints (23—10).