The UNC Wilmington baseball team improved to 6-6 following a 4-2 victory over VCU on Saturday at Brooks Field in the opening game of a three-game series.

The Seahawks’ third baseman Ryan LaGrange led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk, and came around to score the go-ahead run on a pinch-hit, RBI-single from Gavin Stupienski.

LaGrange, a preseason All-CAA selection, entered the game batting .200, but went 3-for-3 and scored two runs. All of LaGrange’s hits came with two outs, including a bunt single in the first inning.

“It got me going,” LaGrange said. “[Coach Scalf] says I’m not the fastest runner on the team, but if the guy’s playing back I can help my team out by getting on base.”

Corey Dick followed LaGrange’s bunt with an opposite-field homerun, his second of the season.

“[The bunt] extended the inning and gave Corey a chance to get to the plate, and he put a good swing on the ball to tie the game,” Scalf said.

UNCW ace Mat Batts turned in a strong performance on the mound, throwing seven innings and allowing only two runs. Batts, who didn’t factor in the decision, settled in after a shaky first inning, where he allowed two runs on three hits.

“Mat did a great job of minimizing damage,” Scalf said. “He kept the ball down in the zone and had command of both sides of the plate.”

Batts also tallied seven strikeouts before being replaced by reliever Kelly Secrest.

Secrest pitched two innings of dominant relief and picked up his third win of the season. Secrest allowed only one hit, while striking out three Rams’ batters.

VCU’s James Bunn continued his strong start to the season, going 3-for-4. Bunn raised his average to .417 in the losing effort.

“That’s an extremely good club over there on the other side,” Scalf said. “They’re going to come back tomorrow and they’re going to get after it.”

Originally, the series was set to start on Friday, but due to rainy weather the schedule was moved around. The Rams and the Seahawks will play a doubleheader Sunday at Brooks Field with the first game beginning at 1:00 p.m.

UNCW will turn to Nick Monroe in the first game and Ryan Foster in the nightcap. Sunday will be Monroe’s first start since his near-perfect game against Liberty two weeks ago.