LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI baseball team will welcome back two former head coaches Wednesday as the Keydets host Old Dominion University in Gray-Minor Stadium at 6 p.m.
Jonathan Hadra is in his first year as an assistant coach at ODU after eight seasons as VMI's head mentor, accumulating the second-most wins in program history. ODU head coach Chris Finwood served as VMI's head coach from 1992-94. Both also had stellar careers on the diamond at VMI.
Game Links (Subject to Change) - Wednesday, April 19, 6 p.m.
ESPN + -
Live stats
Last Time:
VMI swept both ends of a non-conference doubleheader Saturday against visiting SIUE 13-3 (8 inn.) and 10-4 from Gray-Minor Stadium. The wins improve the Keydets' record to 20-16; the first 20-win season for the program since the 2018 campaign (26-27). First-year head coach
Sam Roberts also earned his 20
th-career victory as a collegiate head mentor Saturday.
Junior
Cole Jenkins had seven hits on the day,
Zac Morris had six and
Grayson Fitzwater belted a three-run home run in each game. VMI combined to record 32 hits and 13 stolen bases. The Keydets got strong performances from both starting pitchers;
Nathan Light in the first and SoCon Pitcher of the Week
Will Riley in the nightcap. The Keydets are 16-5 at home.
On the Hill:
While the VMI offense rightfully gets a lot of attention, the Keydet pitching staff threw very well last week. In four games, VMI pitchers allowed just 13 earned runs in 34 innings with 36 strikeouts for a 3.44 ERA. Keydet pitchers tossed 26 scoreless innings and opponents hit only .226.
Nationally Known:
VMI leads NCAA Division I in stolen bases, swiping 146 thus far, 15 ahead of second-best Mississippi Valley State. The Keydets are currently third in team batting average (.332).
About Old Dominion:
The Monarchs are 24-11 and 9-6 in the Sun Belt Conference after dropping two of three at home to #17
th-ranked Coastal Carolina University last weekend. ODU defeated VMI earlier in the season 15-8 in Norfolk on Feb. 21. Hunter Fitz-Gerald went 5-6 with a double, a home run, four runs and four RBI.
For the season, Thomas Wheeler has a team-best .341 batting average with 19 extra-base hits and 13 stolen bases. Fitz-Gerald has team-highs of 13 homers, 40 runs and 44 RBI.
