VMI baseball will return to action Friday, when the Keydets play host to the Western Carolina Catamounts at Gray-Minor Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., and games Saturday and Sunday will follow at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.
How to Follow
Fans can follow along with all three games via live stats and periodic updates on the @VMIBaseco Twitter page. In addition, all three games can be seen live on ESPN+, ESPN’s new streaming platform, with Wade Branner providing play-by-play and Chris Graham on color commentary. While the platform requires a $4.99 per month fee, free trials are currently available. More information on ESPN+ can be viewed via relevant links within this article.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday: WCU RHP Chase Walter vs. VMI RHP Josh Winder
Saturday: WCU LHP Tristan Baker vs. VMI RHP Zak Kent
Sunday: WCU LHP Taylor Purus vs. VMI LHP Kyle Staats
Leadoff Hitters
Nathan Eaton enters the weekend with five triples on the year, equaling the most by a VMI player since 2004 and tying for the second-most in school history. He is two away from equaling the single-season school record held by Louie Napoleon, 7 set in 1994.
Eaton also enters the weekend having reached base in 21 straight games, the highest total by a Keydet player this season.
The Keydets’ hottest hitter, however, may be Collin Fleischer. Fleischer has turned his season around over the past two weeks, going 12 for his last 33 (.364) over the past nine games with two home runs. He has reached base in all nine of those contests.
The Keydets will be looking to snap a seven-game skid against the Catamounts that dates back to 2015, when VMI won two of three in a series at WCU.
Next Time Out
Following this weekend’s proceedings, the Keydets return to action Wednesday at Richmond for the make-up game of a contest postponed earlier in the season. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
Game notes will be posted late Thursday afternoon.
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