LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Baseball had quite a showing from several Keydets in the series-opening win over Western Carolina Friday night at Lamore Field at Gray-Minor Stadium.
The Keydets (26-11, 3-7 SoCon) tally a 10-8 win over the Catamounts (24-15, 6-4 SoCon) for their first series-opening win over WCU since 2023. VMI earns its third conference dub of the year and 26th victory overall, the sixth-most wins in program single-season history.
Key Stats
- VMI plated 10 runs off 11 hits
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Justin Spiegel put on a show, tossing 6.1 brilliant innings with six strikeouts and no earned runs.
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Grayson Fitzwater and
Cole Cook tallied home runs.
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Owen Prince had a team-high three hits.
- Cook finished the day with four RBIs.
- Fitzwater ended the night with two hits, runs, and RBIs.
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Cole Raile and
Bradley Garner had a pair of runs, with Raile stroking two doubles and Garner with one.
Scoring Summary
First Inning: Fitzwater smashed his 16th long ball, bouncing it off the light post for a no-doubt two-run blast.
Second Inning: VMI plated a pair after Prince singled to right field for one RBI, followed by heads-up baserunning by
Kazuya Jordan, who scored from first base after slow fielding by the Catamounts.
Third Inning: VMI went up 7-0 after Cook hammered a three-run rocket off the scoreboard.
Fifth Inning: WCU got one off a Keydet error in the field.
Seventh Inning: Three runs crossed the dish after an RBI double from Raile, a base-loaded walk by Cook, and an RBI single by
Gabe Jenkins.
Eighth Inning: With their backs against the wall, the Catamounts put up six runs in an offensive clinic, homering twice in the surge.
Ninth Inning: WCU capped off its comeback with a solo shot in the final inning, but
Buddy Baker closed the door to keep VMI on top.
Next up for the Keydets
The Keydets look to take the series Saturday afternoon against the Catamounts. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m., with the game broadcast live on ESPN+.
For more information, visit VMIKeydets.com or follow us on social media at VMI Athletics.
