LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Baseball returned to the win column with an emphatic 16-4 win over Norfolk State Friday afternoon at Lamore Field at Gray-Minor Stadium.
It only took the Keydets (8-1) seven innings to get past the Spartans, giving VMI its fourth run-rule triumph of the season. The Keydets have now scored 10 or more runs in all eight wins and have extended their home winning streak to five games.
Key Stats
- VMI tallied 16 runs on nine hits and 11 RBIs.
- The Keydets were walked nine times.
- VMI had eight stolen bases, growing its season total to an NCAA-leading 76 steals.
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Grayson Fitzwater went three for four with a grand slam and a double for six RBIs.
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Owen Prince recorded three hits with two RBIs and three runs.
- Prince lengthened his stolen base streak to six straight after swiping four bags.
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Caden Plummer picked up his third win on the mound, going six innings with six strikeouts.
- After the rocky first inning, Plummer settled and tossed five flawless innings, allowing no hits or runs.
- Five Keydets extended their on-base streak to nine games.
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Bradley Garner and Prince have a five-game hitting streak.
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Boston Torres has two stolen bases and drew two walks.
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Kazuya Jordan belted his first home run of the season.
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Cole Raile blasted his fourth home run of the season and scored three times.
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Max Perry drove in a pair of runs.
- Coming in to seal the deal was
Clark Driscoll who struck out two Spartans in one inning.
Scoring Summary
- Norfolk State came out hot, scoring four runs in the first inning.
- Despite the quick start, the Spartans could not contain the Keydets at the plate, as Raile homered in the first to make it 4-1.
- VMI took the lead in the second innings after Prince drove in one run before Fitzwater cleaned house with a grand slam, making it 6-4.
- In the third inning,
Seth Buchanan stole home on more tricky baserunning by the Keydets.
- VMI scored four more runs off another double steal attempt, this one scoring Prince followed by Torres coming home on a throwing error.
- The Keydets capped off the inning with two more runs off a dropped fly ball followed up by a Garner single.
- Jordan had a solo shot to start the fifth inning right before Prince scored again on another Norfolk State miscue.
- Closing out the scoring was Perry who laid a perfect bunt single to score two runs before Prince singled through the left side for the Keydets' final run.
Next up for the Keydets
The Keydets prepare for game two of the series against the Spartans. First pitch for Saturday will be at 2 p.m.
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.
