VMI Baseball lost a close contest to East Tennessee State on March 28, falling just short of a ninth-inning comeback at Thomas Stadium. The Keydets were defeated by the Buccaneers with a final score of 4-3.
The result marks the first time this season that VMI has lost back-to-back games. The Keydets now hold a record of 20-6 overall and 0-2 in Southern Conference play, while ETSU improves to 19-6 and 4-1 in conference.
During the game, VMI recorded three runs on six hits. Cole Raile hit his second home run of the series, while Seth Buchanan and Owen Prince each contributed two hits. Roberto Velasquez pitched five innings for VMI and matched his previous season high with seven strikeouts. In relief, Trace Monroe and Carson Taylor combined to allow only one hit over the final three innings.
Scoring began in the third inning when VMI took an early lead after an error by ETSU allowed Cole Cook to score. However, ETSU responded with four runs in their half of the inning. In the ninth inning, Grayson Fitzwater doubled before Raile’s opposite-field home run brought VMI within one run with no outs remaining.
The Keydets will finish their series against East Tennessee State on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
