LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Baseball put up 14 runs through the first three innings, including two grand slams, to storm past Longwood on Tuesday at Lamore Field at Gray-Minor Stadium.
The slugging Keydets (18-11, 3-3 SoCon) continue their hot streak at the plate, defeating the Lancers, 17-6, in eight innings. This is the eighth run-rule victory for VMI this season and the 17th time they have scored double-digit runs.
Key Stats
- VMI scored 17 runs off 12 hits with 16 RBIs.
- The Keydets drew eight walks and stole seven bases.
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James Newsome and
Boston Torres each hit grand slams.
- Torres ended the night with two hits in two at-bats and five RBIs after homering in his fourth-straight game.
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Owen Prince went three for five at the plate with two runs.
- Prince swiped two bags to claim the VMI single-season stolen base title, earning 37 total steals.
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Grayson Fitzwater tallied four RBIs and three runs, along with the game-ending home run.
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Ayden Schnarrs recorded a pair of hits with three runs.
- The Keydets were hit by seven pitches, the most this season.
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Roberto Velasquez gets the win after tossing six innings, allowing just two hits and two runs, while striking out seven.
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Clark Driscoll shut the door in the final two innings, earning a pair of punchouts.
- Thanks to their respective home runs, Torres and Fitzwater extend their on-base streaks to 29 and 24 games, respectively.
Scoring Summary
- VMI put up an eight spot in the opening frame, starting with a
Bradley Garner bases-loaded hit by pitch, followed by a Torres sacrifice fly.
- With the bases loaded and down to his last strike, Newsome went opposite field for his first career grand slam to make it 6-0.
- Fitzwater earned his first RBI after getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
- A triple steal attempt got the Keydets their eighth run of the inning as
Kazuya Jordan stole home.
- The Keydets continued the surge in the third inning as Fitzwater walked in one run and Garner singled in another right before Torres slammed another grand slam over the wall to make it 14-0.
- The Lancers tallied two runs in the fifth inning, but the Keydets rebounded quickly with an infield RBI single by Prince.
- Longwood made a run in the sixth and seventh innings, plating four more to cut the deficit to nine.
- In the eighth inning, Fitzwater launched a rocket to right field to curtain call the Lancers.
Next up for the Keydets
The Keydets turn the page quickly, traveling to Norfolk State on Wednesday for another midweek bout. First pitch in Norfolk, Virginia, is set for 3 p.m.
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.
