Baseball Releases 2011 Schedule

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Baseball Ranked 30th By Collegiate Baseball; Ballard Named National Player of the Week

TUCSON, Ariz.- For the third time in program history, the VMI Baseball team has earned a national ranking, being tabbed 30th in the country by Collegiate Baseball.  Also making national headlines is senior first baseman Jordan Ballard, who was named one of Louisville Slugger's National Players of the Week after hitting six home runs over the past five games.

At 14-1, the Keydets are off to their best start in school history thanks to four consecutive weekend sweeps.  VMI also won at Maryland in its lone road contest this season, marking the first time since 2005 that the team won at an ACC venue.  Entering this week, the Keydets lead the nation slugging percentage (.675) while ranking second in both batting average (.381) and home runs (35).  In addition, the team's 10-game win streak to open the year was the program's longest in at least 60 years, while the 14 wins ties VMI for the fourth-most in the country entering Monday's play.

The Keydets' previous national rankings came three years ago, when VMI began the year 17-4.  In 2007, VMI was ranked 30th in back-to-back polls by Collegiate Baseball after defeating 10th-ranked Auburn, 7-3.  The Keydets have also received votes four different times in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Poll (NCBWA), the most recent coming in the 2008 preseason.  Also on Monday, the Keydets were listed as Receiving Votes in both the NCBWA poll and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll, marking the first time to ever be included in the Coaches Poll.

Ballard (Troy, Va./Monticello), meanwhile, enjoyed the most impressive week of his career over the past seven days.  The first baseman not only hit six home runs in VMI's five outings last week, but most impressively had 14 RBIs in 14 at bats.  He hit .571 with a .611 on-base percentage and a 1.929 slugging percentage, having at least four RBIs in three different contests.  He hit a pair of home runs in games one and three against La Salle, as he moved into a tie for fourth place on VMI's career home runs chart with 31 and moved into third on the career slugging percentage list (.566).  His awarding marks the first time a VMI player has earned Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week recognition. 

The Keydets open a two-game series at The Citadel Tuesday evening in a game that can be heard on the VMI Sports Network, either online at www.VMIKeydets.com, or in Lexington's WREL 1450 AM.  VMI redshirt junior Chris Duty (1-0) takes the mound against Bulldog righty T.J. Clarkson (1-0).
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Players Mentioned

Jordan Ballard

#26 Jordan Ballard

1B
6' 3"
Senior
R/R
Chris Duty

#22 Chris Duty

RHP
6' 3"
Senior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Jordan Ballard

#26 Jordan Ballard

6' 3"
Senior
R/R
1B
Chris Duty

#22 Chris Duty

6' 3"
Senior
R/R
RHP