NORFOLK, Va. – The VMI Keydets jumped in front of in-state foe Norfolk State 9-1 on Tuesday afternoon, fending off a feisty Spartans squad by scoring two runs in the 9th inning to grab an 11-9 road win.
Key Stats
- Cole Jenkins goes 2-for-4 with four RBI, a double and two runs scored
- VMI works 10 walks as a team, walks just two Norfolk State batters
- Four Keydet pitchers combine for 15 strikeouts as Nathan Hawley records five K's in 5.0 innings pitched with just two hits and one run
- VMI goes 11-for-13 on stolen bases a year after setting NCAA record for stolen bases in an inning (9) and 14 total against the Spartans
- Cole Garrett, Cole Raile (HR) each score twice, register two RBI
- Jimmy Koza works three walks, scores twice; Ty Swaim smacks homer, walks twice, scores two runs
How it Happened
- Norfolk State would strike first, but a two-run shot from Raile put VMI in front 2-1 in the 2nd
- The Keydets added a run in the third and three more in the 4th, when a Swaim home run and two errors moved the score to 6-1
- The 6th would bring three more for VMI, as a pair of walks set the table for a Jenkins two-RBI triple, with Jenkins scoring on the next play to make the score 9-1
- The Spartans were not done, however, scoring two in the bottom half of the inning, four in the 7th and two in the 8th to knot it up a 9-9 going into the final frame
- Jenkins opened the inning with a double and advanced to third on an error, as he and Morgan would be brought home by a Garrett single to give VMI the two-run advantage
- The Spartans registered a leadoff double in the bottom of the 9th, but Marcus Van Alstine would strike out three batters to close out the game
What's on Deck
VMI improves its record to 2-3 overall, as the Keydets will return to Lexington Friday for their home opener against Georgetown on Friday. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m., with games against the Hoyas scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as well.
