HAMPTON, Va. – VMI Baseball scored 11 unanswered runs, including a walk-off three-run home run in the ninth inning, to defeat William & Mary in the inaugural Peninsula Classic at War Memorial Stadium Wednesday evening.
The Keydets (26-20, 5-10 SoCon) had several high notes throughout the game, ending with a stellar 12-9 comeback victory over the Tribe. VMI's five-run seventh inning kick-started the surge before the Keydets plated a pair in the eighth and four more in the ninth to cap off the night.
Key Stats
- VMI scored 12 runs off 16 hits with 12 RBIs.
- Five Keydets had multiple hits.
- VMI drew nine walks.
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Grayson Fitzwater smashed four hits, including a pair of home runs, with four RBIs and three runs.
- With his four RBIs, Fitzwater crowns himself as the new RBI leader with 157 career RBIs, while tying his single-season record with 63 RBIs.
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Boston Torres mashed the walk-off home run, finishing the day with two hits and three runs. His 63 RBIs tie the single-season record with Fitzwater.
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Ryan Peterson was an unsung hero who tallied three hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs.
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Bradley Garner put up a pair of hits with three runs and two walks.
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Cole Raile and
James Newsome each walked twice.
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Nathan Hawley rebounded in the final inning with two strikeouts and his second win of the season.
- Joining Hawley were
Clark Driscoll and
Roberto Velasquez, who allowed no runs and just three hits in the final five innings combined.
Scoring Summary
- William & Mary jumped out to an early 5-0 lead before VMI scored its first run in the fourth inning off a Peterson RBI single.
- The Tribe plated four more in the fifth inning to go up 9-1.
- VMI started the comeback in the seventh with five runs, starting with a two-run bomb by Fitzwater, followed up by Peterson's double and an RBI from
Ayden Schnarrs to cut the deficit to just three.
- Fitzwater clobbered his 17th home run and second of the night in the eighth inning to make it a one-run game.
- The ninth inning rolled out to a strong start as the Keydets put a pair of runners in scoring position, which led to an RBI from
Owen Prince to tie the game. With two outs and down to his final strike, Torres rocketed a no-doubt homer into the Hampton night to walk off the Tribe.
Next up for the Keydets
The Keydets host their final series of the season against East Tennessee State. VMI will kick off the series on Friday, and all three games will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Sunday's game will be Senior Day as the Keydets will honor their eight seniors who will graduate in 2025.
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.
