LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Baseball has released its signing class ahead of the academic year, adding 16 newcomers to the 2026 roster.
 
"We are really excited about this group of incoming Keydets," says VMI Baseball Head Coach Sam Roberts. "It is a talented class that brings a mix of athleticism, competitiveness, and high character qualities that align perfectly with true standards of VMI. From high school state champions to multi-sport athletes and experienced transfers, this group has the potential to make an immediate impact and help us continue building a winning culture both on and off the field."
 
Gary Ahrens | LHP | L/L | Great Falls, Virginia
Ahrens played baseball at Langley High School, posting six wins and 100 strikeouts in just two seasons.
 
Ayden Albright | OF | R/R | Fredericksburg, Virginia
The Mountain View High School product started varsity in his final three seasons. Albright was a two-time Preseason All-American and led his squad to a district championship.

Buddy Baker | LHP | L/L | Suffolk, Virginia
Baker was a first- and second-team All-Region honoree and was named second-team All-Tidewater. Baker led Nansemond River High School to a regional championship in 2023.
 
Tyler Bassett | RHP | R/R | Manassas, Virginia
A transfer from Longwood University, Bassett joins the Keydets after spending one season with the Lancers. Despite not seeing action in his first collegiate season, Bassett held a plethora of talent out of high school, where he was named Player of the Year in his region and district. The two-way out of Charles J. Colgan High School earned first team All-District honors as a pitcher and third baseman, first team All-Region as a third baseman, and second team All-Region as a pitcher. He also led his squad to a district title.
 
Benjamin Cardone | C | R/R | Bristow, Virginia
Cardone was a three-sport athlete from The Highland School, competing in baseball, wrestling, and football. The heavy-hitting catcher swung his way to first team All-State honors after slashing .396/.484/.698 with 42 hits, 12 doubles, and four homers. Cardone led his team to a state championship last season.

George Chevalier | RHP | R/R | Virginia Beach, Virginia
Chevalier was an All-Region second-teamer out of Landstown High School, tossing 22 innings in his final season.
 
Thomas Conrad | OF | R/R | Chesapeake, Virginia
A Greenbrier Christian Academy graduate, Conrad led his squad to three state titles. Conrad was a second-team All-American, first-team All-State, and Conference Player of the Year.
 
Gabe Jenkins | UTL | R/R | Mechanicsville, Virginia
A Swiss Army knife of an athlete, Jenkins was a four-sport athlete from Hanover High School, playing baseball, track, football, and basketball. Jenkins led the Hawks to a baseball regional and state championship in 2023. Outside of baseball, Jenkins holds the third-fastest time in the indoor 55-meter dash with a scorching time of 6.72 seconds.
 
JW Kohlmeyer | INF | R/R | Bristow, Virginia
Kohlmeyer had a stellar senior campaign at Gainesville High School, where he led his squad to a regional and state championship. Kohlmeyer swung a .341 average with 30 hits and 18 stolen bases in 28 games played.
 
Noah LaFine | RHP | R/R | Uniontown, Ohio
A transfer out of The Ohio State University, LaFine brings Power Four experience to VMI. As a Buckeye, LaFine made five appearances, striking out three, in seven innings of work. He was also named an OSU Scholar Athlete. At Archbishop High School, LaFine was named second team All-Ohio after finishing his high school career with over 200 strikeouts. During his freshman campaign, LaFine won the Ohio state title.
 
Miles Melescu | LHP | L/L | Chesapeake, Virginia
Melescu spent his last four years at Western Branch High School playing baseball while earning academic honors.
 
Trace Monroe | LHP | R/L | Moneta, Virginia
A three-sport athlete out of Salem High School, Monroe brings in varsity-level experience, earning a starting role in all four seasons. Monroe was an Honorable Mention All-District outfielder and pitcher his freshman year before upgrading to first-team All-District his sophomore season, while taking home Honorable Mention All-Region honors. After a successful junior campaign, Monroe was named to the All-District first team as an outfielder and pitcher, first-team All-Region as an outfielder, and second-team All-Region as a pitcher. Monroe was acknowledged by PBR (Prep Baseball Report) as a second-team All-State pitcher. In his final stint, Monroe was dubbed second-team All-State as a pitcher. He was also nominated for the Ray Bellamy Player of the Year Award in his last two years. Monroe ranks first all-time at SHS with 24 doubles and 81 runs at the dish, along with 237 career strikeouts on the bump. He also led his squad to a pair of River Ridge District titles.
 
Easton Ogle | UTL | R/R | Glen Allen, Virginia
Ogle comes to VMI after playing baseball and football at Benedictine College Preparatory. The seven-time varsity letterwinner earned second-team All-State and All-Metro honors after boasting a .362 batting clip and leading his squad to a state title. Outside of baseball, Ogle put up numbers in football, where he helped the Cadets to two state championships.
 
Kealo Smith | OF | R/R | Fishersville, Virginia
Smith transfers in from Bluefield University before graduating from Wilson Memorial High School after spending three years at Staunton High School. The four-time letterwinner played football and baseball for the Green Hornets. Smith was dubbed second-team All-District as an outfielder and pitcher. In football, Smith was a decorated athlete playing all sides of the field, earning All-District honors as a wide receiver, cornerback, and kick returner. He also led the Green Hornets to a district title in 2024.
 
Carson Taylor | RHP | R/R | Virginia Beach, Virginia
A four-time varsity letterholder out of Tallwood High School, Taylor comes to VMI after earning Honorable Mention All-Region accolades.
 
Eli Tyndall | RHP/INF | L/R | Poquoson, Virginia
Tyndall was a multi-sport athlete and a 13-time letterwinner at Poquoson High School. The 2024 Class 2 Player of the Year joins the Keydets after a decorated high school campaign, being named a two-time Region Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-State pitcher, a three-time first-team All-State shortstop, and a three-time first-team All-Tidewater. During his senior stint, Tyndall raked .400 at the dish and tossed 73 innings with a 1.15 ERA and 81 punchouts. The two-way standout helped PHS land a state title in 2024 and four regional championships in baseball, along with a trio of football regional crowns.
 
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