CHARLESTON, S.C. - VMI built an early 6-0 lead but needed single runs in the sixth and eighth to post an 8-7 win over The Citadel in the opener of a Southern Conference series on Friday at Riley Park.

The teams play the middle game on Saturday at 11 a.m., a change from the original 2 p.m. first pitch due to the threat of afternoon rain in the Charleston area. The contest can be seen on the SoCon Digital Network.

The Bulldogs (18-22, 3-10 SoCon) scored a run in the third and five in the fourth to wipe out their early deficit. Trailing 6-1 in the fourth, Johnathan Stokes drew a bases loaded walk, a second run scored on a wild pitch and Connor Walsh pulled The Citadel within 6-5 on a two-run single up the middle.

The tying run scored when Ryan Kilgallen drew a walk with the bases full before Jack Gomersall was able to induce William Kinney to ground into an inning-ending double play.

It stayed tied at until the sixth when David Geary doubled and scored on a single by Matt Winn. VMI (13-22, 6-7) added an important insurance run in the eighth on a run-scoring single by Tyler Tharp, who led the Keydets' 14-hit attack with three singles and three RBI.

VMI closer Taylor Edens allowed an unearned run in the eighth on an error and Stokes' RBI single before getting the final two outs of the inning and wrapping up his 10th save of the year with a 1-2-3 ninth. Kyle Staats and TJ Lighton both worked a perfect inning to get the game to Edens.

Gomersall went two innings of one-hit shutout relief and was credited with the win. Zach Lavery allowed the tiebreaking run in the sixth and was charged with the loss. Bulldog starter James Reeves had a rare off night, allowing seven hits and six runs before departing after four.

The Keydets parlayed three hits and three hit batters into four runs their first time at bat, with Tharp providing the big hit of the frame with a two-run single. Brandon Angus singled in a pair of runs in the third that built the VMI cushion to six.

The Bulldogs totaled 10 hits against five VMI pitchers, with Jacob Watcher leading the way with a season-high three hits while scoring two runs.