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Robbie Gilles came off the bench with a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning to score Nate Roberts and Kyle Mahoney and lift the High Point University baseball team to a 15-14 win over VMI Sunday at Williard Stadium. The Panthers came back to win in the bottom of the ninth after the Keydets had taken the lead with a five-run rally in the top of the inning.

“This was a very tough weekend,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “VMI plays the game the right way, they play hard and they fight in every game. This was a huge win for us and showed our character. It would have been easy to fold after giving up five runs in the top of the ninth but we didn't and hopefully this win will get us going again.”

With High Point up 13-9 heading in to the ninth inning, closer Mikel Rodenberg took the mound. He gave up a walk and double before hitting Alex Haitsuka to load the bases. Jacob Morley reached on a fielder's choice but brought home a run to make it a 13-10 game. A single by Sam Roberts plated a run and Cory Spangenberg hit a single through the right side to score two more and tie the game. VMI took the lead on an RBI double by Tanner Biagini.

The Panthers trailed 14-13 going in to the last of the ninth inning and Devine quickly got the first two outs. Devine walked Nate Roberts on four straight balls and Mahoney reached on a single to the short stop. Gilles came in to pinch hit for left fielder Drew Geissinger and had both runners in scoring position after a double steal by Roberts and Mahoney. Gilles took the 1-1 pitch through the left side, scoring both runs and lifting HPU to the 15-14 win.

“I knew we were meant to win this game,” Gilles said. “And I was determined to make that happen. He started me out with two pitches away so I knew I had to take the ball the opposite way and get Nate home after the steal. It was a surreal at bat.”

High Point snapped VMI's eight-game win streak and improved to 13-6 (1-2 Big South Conference) while VMI goes to 18-2 (2-1 BSC). Mikel Rodenberg picked up his first win of the season to move to 1-1 and VMI's Michael Devine fell to 3-1.

Freshman Jared Avidon struggled with his control to start the game, walking the first four batters he faced. Rob Dickinson reached base on a fielder's choice, scoring Sam Roberts from third base to put VMI ahead 2-0. Avidon got Haitsuka to line out to center field to end the inning, stranding two Keydets.

High Point gave Avidon the lead in the bottom of the first, posting seven runs on five hits, all with two outs. Nate Roberts started the rally with a double to left center and Mahoney reached first after being hit by a pitch. The double steal advanced the runners and a walk to Matt Gantner loaded the bases for Steve Antolik. Antolik cleared the bases with a double down the right field line, picking up three RBI. Andrew Bartlett and Pablo Rosario both picked up RBI hits, putting HPU up 7-2 and forcing a VMI pitching change. Travis Thomas relieved Sam Roberts on the mound, getting Murray White IV to fly out to end the inning.

Avidon settled in for a scoreless second inning, allowing HPU to extend its lead with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Roberts led off with his sixth home run of the season to the student section in right center field.

High Point led 11-2 after the second inning but VMI pecked away at the lead, never scoring more than two runs in an inning until the five-run ninth.

Roberts finished the day 2-4 with three runs score and an RBI on his home run. Rosario also hit his first home run of the season in the seventh inning.

High Point will head to East Carolina on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game with the No. 16 Pirates. The Panthers beat ECU 13-12 last Wednesday at Williard Stadium.