RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — The Virginia Commonwealth Rams erupted for eight runs over the seventh and eighth innings to break open a tight game and defeat the Army Black Knights 11-3 on Saturday evening at The Diamond.

The game, a back-and-forth affair for six innings, turned decisively in the bottom of the seventh when VCU capitalized on Army’s faltering bullpen to take a lead it would not relinquish.

Army struck first in the opening frame without a hit. Leadoff batter Chris Barr was hit by a pitch from VCU starter Patrick Steitz, and after a lineout, was picked off. William Parker then popped out to end the threat. The Black Knights broke through in the sixth, however. With the score tied 3-3, William Parker singled and Josiah Overbeek doubled to put runners at second and third. Carter Hewitt followed with a two-run single to shallow center, giving Army a 5-3 advantage.

That lead was short-lived. VCU answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning against Army reliever Michael Delph. Nick Flores doubled and Jacob Lee walked. After a pitching change to Jakob Vanderhave and a strikeout, Michael Petite walked to load the bases. Quinn Maher was then hit by a pitch, forcing in a run. Another pitching change brought in William Leahy, but Alec Warden greeted him with a two-run single to right field, scoring Lee and Petite to put VCU ahead 6-5.

The Rams blew the game open with a five-run eighth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate. Dante DeFranco was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI double by Flores. After a flyout, Nate Kirkpatrick drove in Flores with a single. Following two more walks to re-load the bases, Walker Calvo entered for Army but walked Warden to force in a run. Trent Adelman then delivered the decisive blow, a two-run single to shallow left field, extending the VCU lead to 11-5.

Army added a final run in the ninth on an RBI groundout by David Dubrule but could not mount a serious comeback.

The win was anchored by a strong start from VCU’s Patrick Steitz, the top star for the Rams. Steitz pitched six innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs while striking out five. He weathered the Army sixth-inning rally before turning the game over to the bullpen. Everett Vaughan earned the win with three innings of relief, allowing three hits and one earned run.

Army starter Kevin Reavey had a unique and effective outing, pitching five no-hit innings but struggling with command. He walked three, hit a batter, and allowed three earned runs before being relieved. He did not factor in the decision. The loss went to Michael Delph, who failed to record an out in the seventh while allowing two earned runs.

Offensively, VCU’s nine hits were timely. Dante DeFranco went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in the second inning that initially tied the game. Nick Flores was 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Quinn Maher drove in two runs without a hit, drawing a walk and twice being hit by pitches with the bases loaded.

For Army, Josiah Overbeek led the way, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. The Black Knights managed eight hits but left nine runners on base.

The victory improves VCU’s season record to 7-8, while Army falls to 5-6. The two teams will conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon.

The most important part of the game was VCU’s immediate response in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Army had seized momentum and a 5-3 lead in the top half of the frame, the Rams’ offense, which had been held in check since the second inning, erupted against the Army bullpen. The sequence of walks and timely hits, culminating in Alec Warden’s two-run single, not only reclaimed the lead but also shifted the game’s momentum entirely to the home side, setting the stage for the decisive five-run eighth.