LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Baseball (9-9) travels to Asheville, North Carolina for a three-game set March 15-17 against the University of North Carolina at Asheville Bulldogs (9-7) for the final series before Southern Conference play begins. 
 
The Keydets enter the weekend slate with a three-game winning streak after taking down Binghamton University twice and Norfolk State University on Tuesday at Gray Minor Stadium. VMI's next series will kick off the SoCon ledger when the Keydets battle Samford University March 22-24.

Series Information:
Location: Greenwood Baseball Field
Live Stats: UNC Asheville Live Stats
Broadcast: Game One | Game Two | Game Three
 
Series Schedule and Probables:
Game One: Friday at 3 p.m.
-LHP Trey Morgan (1-0, 4.24 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Schiff (1-0, 7.13 ERA)
Game Two: Saturday at 1 p.m.
-RHP Will Riley (2-1, 3.50 ERA) vs. RHP Michael Groves (1-0, 6.00 ERA)
Game Three: Sunday at 12 p.m.
-RHP Holden Wilkerson vs. RHP Colby Guy (3-0, 4.08 ERA)
 
Last Time Out:
-VMI's offense ignited for a 14-4 (7 inn.) win over Norfolk State on Tuesday
-Keydets nabbed all 14 runs before the sixth inning
-Andrew Jones picked up his first win on the season, going four innings and allowing one hit
-Justin Starke and Brett Cook went yard in the second and fourth inning, respectively
-Norfolk State rallied to score four unanswered but was held off by the Keydets' bullpen
-Justin Starke led the Keydets at the plate, going 4-5 with three RBI and three runs
-VMI put up five stolen bases by four different Keydets
 
Tracking the Keydets:
-VMI has been quick on the base paths, producing 49 stolen bases and nearly three per game to rank fifth nationally in both categories
-However, VMI leads the country in caught stealing with 22
-The Keydets produce the eighth-most sacrifice bunts in the nation with 15
-VMI's pitching boasts 2.31 walks per nine, best in the conference and 18th in NCAA D-I
-Marcus Van Alstine has shut down opposing batters coming out of the bullpen, earning five saves for second most in the country
-Trey Morgan leads the nation in K/BB ratio and walks per nine with 24 innings pitched (13 K, 0 BB)
-Justin Starke (.377/.738/.494) highlights the Keydets' offense with 23 hits, 16 RBI, and six homers
-Marcus Van Alstine (1.42 ERA) spotlights VMI's pitching, boasting a .178 opponent batting average and 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings and eight appearances
-VMI posts the third-most errors nationally with 37 miscues and a .942 fielding %
 
Scouting the Bulldogs:
-UNC Asheville is 9-7 prior to the weekend slate
-The Bulldogs lost the mid-week matchup against Liberty University, 12-2 (8 inn.), on Tuesday
-UNC Asheville swept the series against Niagara University last weekend after taking all three against Siena College the weekend prior
- The Bulldogs faced two Power Five members (Georgia and Tennessee), losing all four meetings
-UNC Asheville stood tall against #9 Tennessee early in the year, falling 3-2 in Knoxville
-The Bulldogs are slashing .283/.449/4.29 with 9.1 runs per game, most in the Big South and 31st highest in the nation
-UNC Asheville has a strong eye at the plate, securing 115 walks for 16th best in NCAA D-I
-Cameron Johnson (.362) provides the most offensive power with 21 hits, four doubles, and 14 RBI
-Robbie Burnett has taken opposing pitching yard seven times, 27th most in the country
-Colby Guy ranks 17th nationally with three wins on the mound while posting a team-low 4.08 ERA
-The Bulldogs' stable combines for a 7.81 ERA with 110 strikeouts
 
Series History:
-First meeting since VMI rejoined the SoCon
-VMI leads UNC Asheville, 16-12, in the all-time series
-The Bulldogs won the last three matchups
-VMI has won seven of the last 10 meetings
-VMI is 6-9 when playing in Asheville
-First series since March 2012