LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Baseball is on the road for the first time this season, heading north to Hanover, Maryland for a three-game set against Coppin State at Joe Cannon Field starting Friday.
Game Schedule and Probables
Game 1 | Friday at 3 p.m.
- RHP
Caden Plummer (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. RHP Reagan Rivera (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
Game 2 | Saturday at 1 p.m.
- RHP
Andrew Jones (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Jeremiah Eneix (0-1, 47.25 ERA)
Game 3 | Sunday at 1 p.m.
- LHP
Jaxon Lloyd (1-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. RHP Kaden Straily (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
The Keydets powered past the Hawks last weekend, earning four wins to start the 2025 campaign. This is VMI's best start to a season since 2010.
Keys to the Keydets
Torre(s) It Up. Boston Torres had a stellar VMI debut, tallying nine hits, four doubles, 11 RBIs, and batted .643 in the four games. Torres ranks in the top 25 in the nation in walks, batting average, doubles, doubles per game, hits, RBI, RBI per game, and toughest to strikeout.
Runs Galore. VMI scored 54 runs in its first four games, the most in program history.
Eagle Eye. Keydet batters were walked 41 times, the fourth most in the country.
The Brand. The Keydets swiped 27 bases against the Hawks and serve as the nation's leader in stolen bases.
Keydets in the Outfield. VMI's top hitters are the starting outfielders:
Boston Torres (.643),
Owen Prince (.500), and
Bradley Garner (.500). They also attest for 23 putouts with no errors.
Where's Perry? If you are looking for
Max Perry on the base path, you might've missed him, as he has stolen six bases, the second most in the nation.
Andy's Game. Andrew Jones put up eight strikeouts in four innings in the blowout win over UMES.
Runnin' Raile. 10 of VMI's 54 runs have come from
Cole Raile, the second most in the country. Raile also has a keen eye, walking eight times which stands fourth in the NCAA.
Top 25 in the Nation. VMI ranks in the top 25 among the NCAA in walks (41), batting average (.402), hit by pitches (10), on-base percentage (.577), runs (54), sacrifice bunts (6), sacrifice flies (5), scoring (13.5), shutouts (1), slugging percentage (.598), stolen bases (27), stolen bases per game (6.75), and WL percentage (1.000).
Back on the Bump. The Keydets' staff seeks a lower ERA from last season's 7.24 ERA. Already, VMI boasts a 3.10 ERA with 33 strikeouts.
Scouting the Eagles
- Coppin State enters the weekend 1-1 after splitting against Iona.
- Last season, the Eagles finished 12-33 overall and 11-21 in conference play.
- VMI defeated Coppin State, 8-1, last year in Hanover, Maryland.
- This will be just the third time the two programs play in Maryland.
- Coppin State's roster consists of eight freshmen, seven sophomores, 11 juniors, four seniors, and two graduate students.
- The Eagles have a .222 team batting average with 14 hits, three doubles, two homers, 13 runs, 12 RBIs, 15 walks, and have struck out 24 times.
- Coppin State's staff has allowed 27 earned runs and holds a 13.50 ERA.
- Head Coach Sherman Reed is in his 15th season at the helm. Reed is the winningest head coach in program history and was named MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Coach in 2022.
- Gavin Grutzmacher leads the team with four hits, four RBI, and a .500 average.
- Justin Ritz has tossed 3.1 scoreless innings with a .167 opponent batting average.
- Six Eagles have reached base safely in both games.
Series History
- VMI is 21-1 overall against Coppin State, winning the last five meetings.
- The Keydets are 2-0 when playing at Coppin State.
- VMI defeated Coppin State last season, 8-1.
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.
