VMI Baseball lost to East Tennessee State University on March 27 in the opening game of the Southern Conference series at Thomas Stadium.
The game was close, with VMI leading through six innings before ETSU rallied in the seventh inning to secure a 6-5 win. The result gives VMI a record of 20-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while ETSU improves to 18-6 overall and 3-1 in the Southern Conference.
VMI scored five runs from nine hits. Grayson Fitzwater went two-for-three, driving in two runs and hitting his tenth home run of the season. Andrew Jones pitched out of the bullpen for VMI, throwing three and two-thirds innings with a season-high six strikeouts. Owen Prince contributed three singles, while Cole Raile hit his seventh home run of the year along with a double, also collecting two RBIs. All five Keydet runs came from batters one through five in their lineup.
The scoring started early when Fitzwater homered in the first inning followed by a Raile double for an initial lead. After ETSU tied it up in the second inning, VMI pulled ahead again but could not hold off late offense from ETSU, who used key doubles to shift momentum and ultimately take control during the seventh inning.
Looking ahead, VMI will continue its series against East Tennessee State on Saturday with a new start time set for 3 p.m.
