LEXINGTON, Va. – VMI Baseball (12-13) makes an in-state drive to Fairfax, Virginia Tuesday afternoon for a midweek clash against George Mason University (11-12) at Spuhler Field.
The Keydets are coming off a tough series against Samford University and are looking to bounce back against the Patriots. VMI has not lost more than three games in a row since 2022.
Series Information:
Location:
Spuhler Field
Live Stats:
VMI vs. George Mason Live Stats
Broadcast:
VMI vs. George Mason on ESPN+
Series Schedule and Probables:
Tuesday at 3 p.m.
RHP
Caden Plummer (1-0, 10.67 ERA) vs. RHP Connor Knox (0-1, 16.87 ERA)
Last Time Out:
- Keydets dropped all three matchups in the Southern Conference series opener to Samford over the weekend
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Justin Starke batted an even .500 with six hits, two RBI, and four runs in 12 at-bats against the Bulldogs
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Kazuya Jordan rocketed his first home run of his career while batting .500 with three hits and three runs
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Trey Morgan also secured his first homer of the 2024 campaign on Saturday
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Ty Swaim and
Grayson Fitzwater each dished out three RBI
- Keydets swiped 11 bags and drew 16 walks over three games
- Five of VMI's 17 runs came off home runs
Tracking the Keydets:
- Keydets lead the nation in stolen bases (78) and stolen bases per game (3.12)
- As a team, VMI ranks seventh in sacrifice bunts (22) in the country
- Keydets are top 25 in NCAA D-I in BB/9 (3.40), sacrifice flies (15), and K/BB ratio (2.79)
- VMI is top 50 in a couple of categories: walks (129) and hit batters (39)
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Owen Prince has sacrificed plenty for the Keydets, ranking second in sacrifice bunts (7) and eighth in sacrifice bunts per game (0.28)
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Trey Morgan has posted five sacrifice flies to rank fifth in NCAA D-I
- In closing situations,
Marcus Van Alstine has been the first option, securing the third most saves in the country (6)
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Caden Plummer is in line for his first start and 10th appearance of 2024
- Keydets have won four times when
Caden Plummer makes an appearance on the mound
- VMI's defense has allowed only 18 stolen bases
Scouting the Patriots:
- George Mason enters the midweek duel 11-12
- This will be the Patriots last game before A10 play begins
- Patriots are 10-3 when playing at Spuhler Field in 2024
- George Mason took two of three from Villanova last weekend
- Patriots are 3-1 in midweek games this season
- George Mason has outscored their opponents 53-28 in those midweek contests
- Patriots have allowed 196 runs with a team ERA of 7.83
- George Mason's pitching has struggled this season, standing behind at least 200 NCAA D-I teams in ERA, H/9, K/BB ratio, and WHIP
-However, the Patriots have thrown two shutouts, both at home
- At the plate, George Mason collectively slashes .270/.422/.371
- Patriots have used their legs, earning five triples and 44 stolen bases
- Jordan Smith leads the group with a .382 avg, 29 hits, and 22 runs while slugging .684 in 23 starts
- James Quinn-Irons posts a team-high eight homers and 21 RBI
- Ben Jones has been named one of the toughest batters to strike out this season with a strikeout ratio of 14.4, 22nd lowest in the nation
- South Trimble has been speedy on the base paths, swiping 18 bags and 0.78 steals per game to rank third in both categories in the country
Series History:
- Patriots lead the all-time series, 10-4, dating back to 1982
- First matchup was on May 1, 1982, when the Patriots won both games of the doubleheader against the Keydets
- George Mason has won seven of the last eight
- VMI and George Mason have played twice since 2016
