VMI Baseball lost to High Point University 7-5 in the series opener at Williard Stadium on April 24. The Keydets nearly mounted a comeback in the final innings, but the Panthers’ offense remained strong throughout the game.
The matchup was important for both teams as VMI sought to improve its conference record, while High Point aimed to maintain momentum in the Big South standings. The result leaves VMI with a 26-15 overall record and a 3-9 mark in Southern Conference play, while High Point moves to 27-14 overall and 11-4 in their conference.
Key performances for VMI included Grayson Fitzwater hitting his eighteenth home run of the season, tying his own single-season record set in 2024. Owen Prince extended his on-base streak to forty-one games by reaching base with a hit by pitch and driving in a run with an RBI single. Bradley Garner contributed two doubles, scored twice, and had one RBI. Cole Raile added another RBI—his fifth consecutive game doing so—while pitchers Justin Spiegel and Nolan Williamson each recorded two strikeouts.
The scoring began early when Raile singled home a run for VMI. High Point answered with a home run to tie it up before taking control with additional runs across the middle innings. In the eighth inning, Garner doubled and Fitzwater homered as part of VMI’s push that cut the deficit to one run before High Point responded with another home run of their own. In the ninth inning, back-to-back hits from Kazuya Jordan and Prince gave VMI hope for another rally but ultimately fell short.
Looking ahead, VMI will focus on game two of their series against High Point, scheduled for a first pitch at six p.m.
