BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — Jake Souders drove in five runs, including a three-run homer in a decisive sixth inning, to power the Samford Bulldogs to an 8-3 victory over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets in Southern Conference baseball action Saturday at Joe Lee Griffin Stadium.

The win, secured under the lights after an afternoon start, gave Samford (16-17, 2-3 SoCon) a series victory after taking the opener Friday night. It pushed the Bulldogs above .500 at home and handed VMI (24-10, 3-2) its second consecutive loss following a strong stretch of play.

The game’s pivotal sequence came in the bottom of the sixth, turning a manageable 4-3 deficit for VMI into a commanding Samford lead. The Bulldogs erupted for four runs, all with two outs. After a hit-by-pitch and a single, Souders stepped in against reliever Eli Tyndall. The right fielder launched a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left-center field for a three-run homer, his second hit and fifth RBI of the game, stretching the lead to 7-3.

The rally continued immediately as catcher Cade Carr followed by crushing the very next pitch for a solo home run to nearly the same spot, capping the outburst and making it 8-3. The back-to-back homers demoralized the Keydets and provided ample cushion for the Samford bullpen.

VMI had struck first, plating three runs in the second inning off Samford starter Mason Blasche. Singles by Ayden Schnarrs, Cole Cook and Ben Cardone, coupled with a walk, produced the early offense. Samford answered swiftly in the bottom half, getting solo home runs from designated hitter Trey Higgins and left fielder Luke Boykin on consecutive pitches to cut the lead to 3-2. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Souders delivered a two-run single up the middle to give Samford a 4-3 advantage it would not relinquish.

The Keydets’ only other run came on a solo homer by first baseman Grayson Fitzwater in the sixth, just before Samford’s game-breaking rally. VMI managed just six hits total and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, stranding several early opportunities.

Blasche (2-3) earned the win with a gritty seven-inning effort. He allowed three runs on five hits, walking one and striking out five. He settled in after the rocky second, retiring 12 of the final 15 batters he faced. Reliever John Malone closed the door with two perfect innings, striking out two.

Tyndall (2-1) took the loss for VMI in a relief role. Entering in the second inning, he was charged with four runs over four and one-third innings, though he did not allow a hit. He walked four, hit two batters and struck out two. The Keydets used five pitchers in total, with Andrew Jones providing two scoreless innings of relief.

Souders, who had an RBI single in Friday’s win, was the clear offensive star, going 2-for-5. His five RBIs marked a season high and were the key factor in overcoming a pregame projection from Interstat that favored VMI, 7-5. The Bulldogs’ eight hits included four home runs.

The series concludes Sunday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Stadium.