JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – VMI Baseball was just shy of a ninth-inning comeback against East Tennessee State on Saturday at Thomas Stadium.
The Keydets (20-6, 0-2 SoCon) made it a one-run game in the ninth inning, but the Buccaneers (19-6, 4-1 SoCon) stood tall and cut the surge short in a 4-3 final. VMI falls in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Key Stats
- VMI had three runs and tallied six hits.
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Cole Raile hit his second home run of the series.
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Seth Buchanan and
Owen Prince each posted two hits.
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Roberto Velasquez tossed five innings with seven strikeouts, matching his previous season high.
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Trace Monroe and
Carson Taylor stifled the Bucs, allowing just one hit in the final three innings.
Scoring Summary
Third Inning: Scoring started for both squads in the third frame. The Keydets struck first after a Bucs' fielding miscue, scoring
Cole Cook. However, a four-run bottom half for ETSU flipped the script.
Ninth Inning: VMI's big break came in the final inning after
Grayson Fitzwater reached on a double to deep right field, right before Raile's clutch opposite-field blast made it a one-run game with no outs.
Next up for the Keydets
The Keydets close out the series against the Bucs on Sunday, with first pitch set at 1 p.m.
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.
