2011 KEYDET BASEBALL

Transcription

1 2011 KEYDET BASEBALL VMI BASEBALL GAME NOTES VMI BASEBALL GAME NOTES VMI BASEBALL GAME NOTES VMI BASEBALL GAME NOTES VMI ( , Big South) End of 2011 Season Date Opponent Time/Result Feb. 18 at #10 Florida State L, 0-12 Feb. 19 at #10 Florida State L, 2-9 Feb. 20 at #10 Florida State L, 0-15 Feb. 22 William & Mary W, 4-1 Feb. 23 at #10 Virginia L, 3-4 Feb. 25 Binghamton W, 5-3 Feb. 26 Binghamton (DH) L, 1-7 and W, 2-0 Feb. 27 Binghamton W, 9-2 Mar. 1 at Richmond T, 6-6. Mar. 4 Bucknell W, 6-5 Mar. 5 Bucknell (DH) L, 2-4,W 7-3 Mar. 6 Bucknell PPD Mar. 8 at #27 James Madison W, 8-2 Corvallis, Oregon Tournament - Mar Mar. 11 vs. New Mexico State W, 7-2 Mar. 12 vs. New Mexico State W, 5-0 Mar. 12 at Oregon State L, 3-13 Mar. 13 at Oregon State L, 1-5 Mar. 15 at Portland PPD Mar. 18 at Winthrop* L, 1-2 Mar. 19 at Winthrop* L, 6-7 (10) Mar. 20 at Winthrop* W, 10-2 Mar. 22 at Longwood W, 5-4 Mar. 23 VCU PPD Mar. 25 at Presbyterian College* W, 5-2 Mar. 27 at Presbyterian College* W, 8-4 Mar. 27 at Presbyterian College* L, 4-5 Mar. 30 Richmond PPD Apr. 1 Gardner-Webb* W, 11-8 Apr. 2 Gardner-Webb* L, 7-10 Apr. 3 Gardner-Webb* L, Apr. 6 Virginia Tech L, 2-11 Apr. 8/9 at Radford* W, 10-7 Apr. 10 at Radford* L, 5-6 Apr. 10 at Radford* L, 5-14 Apr. 13 at William & Mary W, 5-1 Apr. 15 at Charleston Southern* W, 11-0 Apr. 16 at Charleston Southern* W, Apr. 17 at Charleston Southern* W, 9-1 Apr. 19 at VCU L, 2-4 Apr. 22 Liberty* L, 2-3 Apr. 23 Liberty* (DH) L, 6-8 and W, 3-1 Apr. 26 James Madison W, 10-4 Apr. 28 at Coastal Carolina L, 2-8 Apr. 29 at Coastal Carolina L, 2-4 Apr. 30 at Coastal Carolina L, 0-5 May 11 Longwood W, 12-5 May 13 UNC Asheville* W, 9-7 May 14 UNC Asheville* W, 15-1 May 15 UNC Asheville* W, 10-2 May 17 at Virginia Tech PPD May 19 High Point* L, 5-6 May 20 High Point* W, 4-0 May 21 High Point* W, May 24 #6 Radford (BSC Champs) L, 1-3 VMI baseball closed its season with a 3-1 loss to Radford on May 24. Despite the setback, there were numerous positives throughout the season. The Keydets earned their sixth winning season in seven years, including their first sweep of James Madison ever and their first win over William & Mary in Williamsburg since They did so helped by a pitching staff that posted the program s fourth-lowest ERA in the aluminum bat era (4.61), as well as the fourthlowest walks per nine innings rate (2.83). The latter was aided by Jason Farley (1.37) and Jeremy Brown (1.97), both of whom posted marks that were in the program s alltime top-10. Meanwhile, the team also posted its fourth-most strikeouts (377), second-most saves (15) and tied for the second-most shutouts in school history (4). Starter Jeremy Brown took the hill to open three of those shutouts, the most combined shutouts for a single VMI pitcher since Fellow SP Coby Cowgill wrapped up the year 10th in the Big South in ERA (3.73) and fourth in opponents batting average (.233). Offensively, the senior trio of Sam Roberts, Graham Sullivan and Alex Haitsuka helped VMI post its fifth-highest batting average ever, sitting at an even Regular Starters.300. The team s 528 hits were also the sixth-most in program history, and both Roberts and Sullivan made their marks on the team s individual records. Roberts set new career marks in hits, runs scored and walks, and graduated from VMI in the top-10 in 12 different categories, including ranking fifth in batting average, third in on-base percentage and second in doubles. One of those categories was on the mound, as Roberts recorded seven career saves, tied for eighth in the career listings. Sullivan cracked the top-10 in hits, batting average and total bases, and paced the club during 2011 with a.358 batting average. Both Roberts and Haitsuka were named First Team All-Conference, the first time VMI had posted two players on the Big South s First Team since its first year in the league, Sullivan earned Second Team All-Big South honors for the second straight year. The season wrapped up with Roberts being selected in the 26th round of the MLB Draft, as the Oakland Athletics snagged the former Keydet. It marked the seventh straight year in which VMI had seen a player taken in the draft, and the third time in four years that Oakland had drafted a Keydet. Yr. AVG R 2B HR RBI OBP C Alex Haitsuka Sr B George Piccirilli Jr B Justin Hess Sr B Chase Worthington Jr SS Sam Roberts Sr LF Graham Sullivan Sr CF Rob Dickinson So RF Jacob Morley Jr DH Justin Topping Sr

2 VMI s Record in Overall Big South Non-Conference Postseason At Home On the Road Neutral Site At Home (Big South) On the Road (Big South) At Home (Non-Conference) On the Road (Non-Conference) In Extra-Inning Games Vs. Nationally-Ranked Teams Vs. In-State Teams Playing a Day Game Playing a Night Game In First Game of a Doubleheader In Second Game of a Doubleheader In Single Games In one-run games In two-run games In five + run games When Scoring First When Opponent Scores First When Leading Entering 7th Inning When Trailing Entering 7th Inning When Tied Entering 7th Inning When Leading Entering 9th Inning When Trailing Entering 9th Inning When Tied Entering 9th Inning When Scoring 5 Runs or Less When Scoring 6+ Runs When Allowing 5 Runs or Less When Allowing 6+ Runs When Out-Hitting an Opponent When Out-Hit by Opponent When Matching Opponent in Hits When committing zero errors When committing one or more errors When hitting a Home Run Vs. Starting LHP Vs. Starting RHP Season Ends with Loss to Radford: Radford starter Eddie Butler tossed seven scoreless innings and closer Abram Williams picked up his Big South single-season record 17th save as the No. 6 seeded Highlanders defeated No. 7 seed VMI, 3-1, in Game 1 of the 2011 Royal Purple Big South Baseball Championship presented by Triangle Rent A Car, May 24 at Gray-Minor Stadium. The loss brings to the end the careers of a senior class that included shortstop Sam Roberts, the career hits, runs scored and walks leader at the Institute, as well as catcher Alex Haitsuka and outfielder Graham Sullivan. VMI's season ends at Haitsuka Closes Strong, Earns Big South POTW Award: VMI senior Alex Haitsuka closed out his regular season career with a bang, hitting.600 during the High Point series with a pair of home runs, and managing 14 total bases in just 10 at-bats. For that display, he earned his first career Big South Player of the Week award, and the final such award this season. Over his past 11 games, Haitsuka is batting Run Outburst First in Five Years: In the May 21 win over High Point, VMI scored 10 runs in the sixth inning. That was the first 10-run single inning output for the Keydets since 2006, when they accomplished the feat against Birmingham Southern. That frame also saw two players get two hits apiece, as George Piccirilli and Graham Sullivan both did so. Thomas and Watts Called Upon Often: Relievers Travis Thomas and Alan Watts were called upon often during the 2011 season, as both posted appearance numbers that rank in the program s all-time top-10. Thomas went to the hill 28 times, the fifth-most in team history, and wrapped up his year with a 1.10 ERA over his last 16 1/3 innings of work, including two shutout frames in the Big South Championship. Watts 26 outings are the eighth-most in Keydet annals, and his 37/4 K/BB ratio was the team s best. High Watts age: Reliever Alan Watts unbelievable start, in terms of command, came to an end on April 16 at Charleston Southern. After going his first 29 1/3 innings of work without walking a hitter, Watts issued two free passes in that game. Three is Key, Both Ways: The number three has been key for VMI so far this season. When the Keydets hold their opposition to three runs or less, they are 17-2 on the year. Looking at the number three another way, the third inning was very unkind to the Keydets this season, as they have been outscored in that inning. In a strange turn of events, Big South Standings Big South Overall W-L PCT W-L PCT Coastal Carolina Liberty Charleston So Winthrop Gardner-Webb Radford VMI High Point Presbyterian UNC Asheville Team Accomplishments SS Sam Roberts drafted by Oakland - 26th Round - Seventh straight year with a player chosen in MLB Draft Roberts and C Alex Haitsuka named First Team All-Big South - First time VMI had two First Team All-Conference players since 2005 Roberts set new school career records in hits, runs scored and walks, leaving VMI ranked in the program s top-10 in 12 different categories Graham Sullivan ranked in the program s career top-10 in hits, batting average and total bases Sixth winning season in seven years Swept season series from JMU for the first time ever, including first win in Harrisonburg since 1976 Defeated William & Mary in Williamsburg for the first time since 1996 Jeremy Brown was a part of three shutouts, the most for a Keydet hurler since 2007 Both Brown (8th) and Jason Farley (3rd) ranked in the top-10 in program history in fewest walks per nine innings. Coby Cowgill ranked 10th in the Big South in ERA and fourth in batting average against VMI s 10 runs in the fifth inning 5/21 against High Point was its first double-digit, singleinning output since 2006 Notable statistics (ranking in school history) - ERA (4th in aluminum bat era) BB/ (4th) Strikeouts (4th) Saves - 15 (2nd) Shutouts - 4 (Tied-2nd) Batting Average (5th) Hits (6th) Fielding Percentage (3rd)

3 2011 Keydet Honors All-Big South Sam Roberts (First Team SS) Alex Haitsuka (First Team Catcher) Graham Sullivan (Second Team OF) John Olerud Award Watch List Sam Roberts Brooks Wallace Award Watch List Sam Roberts Collegiate Baseball HOF All-Star Lineup Sam Roberts (April 19) ECAC Player of the Week Sam Roberts (April 19) Big South Player of the Week Alex Haitsuka (May 23) Sam Roberts (April 19) Sam Roberts (March 1) NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List Michael Devine Where Are They Now? VMI has six former players currently on minor league rosters, here s a check on their stats through June 7: Michael Bowman, P (AA-Huntsville Stars- MIL) 2-2, 4.02 ERA, 10 GS, 53.2 IP, 24 R, 25 K,.272 OBA Trey Barham, P (AA- Midland Rockhounds-OAK) 3-1, 4.66 ERA, 21 G, 19.1 IP,.346 OBA Michael Roberts, C (Class A - Brevard County - MIL).100 BA (2/20), 1 2B Travis Smink, P (Rookie - Greeneville - HOU) Season has not yet started Jordan Ballard (Rookie - Casper - COL) Season has not yet started Tanner Biagini (GCL - TB Rays) Season has not yet started however, VMI notched 46 runs in the fifth inning of games this year. Its opponents total? You guessed it, 25. Keydets Close Out Regular Season by Taking Two of Three From HPU: After VMI dropped the opener, Jeremy Brown led three pitchers in combining on a shutout Friday, and VMI won a slugfest Saturday to take 2 of 3 from High Point to close the regular season. The Keydets finished the year 15-8 at Gray-Minor Stadium, and are overall at home since the start of the 2004 season. Roberts Walks His Way to Another Mark: A seventh-inning walk against Longwood on May 11 gave VMI shortstop Sam Roberts his third VMI career record. He surpassed Franco Martin 97 with his 138th career free pass, adding that record to his marks previous attained in hits (see next note) and runs scored (April 17 vs. Charleston Southern). Roberts is now within nine of the top spot on the all-time VMI RBI chart as well. Roberts Claims Hits Record: With a leadoff single May 1 at Coastal Carolina, VMI shortstop Sam Roberts surpassed Kelly Sweppenhiser 06 on the all-time VMI career hit list and claimed the top spot. Keydets Sweep UNC Asheville, Get Back to.500 In Conference: A 34-run attack, including seven RBI from Alex Haitsuka, helped VM I dominate UNC Asheville for a three-game sweep, May in Lexington. The Keydets needed a Jacob Morley two-run triple in the sixth inning to take the lead for good Friday, and eventually win 9-7, but VMI outscored Asheville 25-3 over the final two games to completely dominate the series. Haitsuka, George Piccirilli and Graham Sullivan all hit over.400 in the three-game sweep, while Jason Farley and Jeremy Brown each allowed just one earned run in their starts. VMI Downs Longwood, 12-5: Graham Sullivan, Jacob Morley and Justin Hess had three hits apiece, and Sullivan highlighted a six-run seventh inning with a three-run double as the VMI Keydets downed the Longwood Lancers, 12-5, in non-conference baseball action Wednesday night, May 11, at Gray-Minor Stadium. With VMI nursing a 6-4 lead headed to its half of the seventh, Longwood starter Troy Dickman (2-2) ran into trouble. Morley singled with one out, stole second and went to third on a throwing error. Justin Topping and Rob Dickinson then both reached, and Morley scored on a wild pitch during Hess' at-bat, which ended in a walk. Sam Roberts then walked to force in a run and take the all-time VMI record for career walks, setting the stage for Sullivan to clear the bases with a line shot to right center. The Keydet left fielder 2011 Team Almanac Longest Win Streak Longest Losing Streak Most Runs Scored , 5/21 Fewest Runs Scored (3x) Most Runs Allowed , 2/20 Fewest Runs Allowed , (4x) Individual Highs Most Hits , G. Sullivan vs. HPU, 5/21 Most At Bats , 8x Most Runs , 3x Most RBIs , 5, 2x Most SBs , S. Roberts at CSU, 4/15 Most IP , C. Cowgill at CSU, 4/15 Most Strikeouts , Lopez (2/25) Record By Month February March April May Record By Day Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Record vs. Conferences American East Binghamton Atlantic Coast Florida State Virginia Virginia Tech Atlantic Richmond Big South Colonial Athletic Assoc William & Mary James Madison VCU Independent Longwood Pacific Oregon State Patriot League Bucknell Westtern Athletic Conference New Mexico State

4 would then score on another Longwood miscue moments later, capping the six-run outburst, all of which scored with two out. Jason Farley (3-7) got the win in relief of starter John Garrett, who went 2 1/3 innings. Farley went 1 2/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits. Hess, Morley and Sullivan led the way offensively for VMI, combining to go 9 for 14 with a walk and four runs scored. Dickinson had his third home run of the year, and Roberts claimed his third career school record, adding walks to his top marks in hits and runs scored. Roberts Tabbed For Pair of National Watch Lists: For the second consecutive year, VMI shortstop/pitcher Sam Roberts was named to the watch lists for both the Brooks Wallace Award and the John Olerud Award, as announced by the College Baseball Hall of Fame in the overnight hours Monday, May 3. Roberts (Prince George, Va.) was recognized along with 25 other players on each list, but was the only player named to both. He is also the only Big South player named to either list. The Olerud Award, named after former major leaguer and University of Washington star John Olerud, recognizes the best two-way player in America, while the Wallace Award was created to honor college baseball s top shortstop. The winners will be chosen from among the watch lists, and will be recognized July 3 in Lubbock, Texas. Keydets Suffer Sweep in Conway: VMI took a 1-0 lead early in the first game, but that would be its only lead all weekend despite three competitive games, and the Keydets suffered a three-game sweep at the hands of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, April 29-May 1 in Conway, S.C. Jacob Morley and Jason Farley were two of the bright spots for VMI, as Farley continued his recent upswing (see Farley Finds Rhythm note) and Morley hit.333 on the weekend. VMI was in all three games, but the fifth inning betrayed the Keydets, as CCU broke ties in two of the games with fifth-inning uprisings. Keydets Complete Season Sweep of JMU With 10-4 Win: TThe top six hitters in the Keydet lineup had at least two hits apiece and VMI scored nine of its 10 runs with two outs, en route to a 10-4 win over the James Madison Dukes Tuesday night, April 26, at Gray-Minor Stadium in Lexington, Va. With the victory, VMI sweeps the season series from JMU for the first time in program history. George Piccirilli and Alex Haitsuka had three hits apiece, with Haitsuka doing so after missing his first game of the year Saturday. Sam Roberts, Justin Hess, Graham Sullivan and Rob Dickinson all had two hits apiece, as the Keydets posted 15 hits against the Dukes' pitching staff. Notably, Roberts' two hits pulled him to within one of tying Kelly Sweppenhiser '06 for the alltime VMI lead in that category. As mentioned above, the win gives VMI a season sweep of JMU for the first time in 24 tries, after the Keydets knocked off the Dukes in Harrisonburg for the first time since 1976 with an 8-2 win on March 8. John Garrett (4-2) earned the win for VMI, allowing three hits and a run over three innings. Garrett retired the first eight James Madison hitters en route to the victory, while Campbell Henkel and Michael Devine combined for five scoreless innings of relief following the Keydet starter. Perhaps most impressively, the Keydet hurlers did not allow a home run to the team leading the country in round-trippers. Roberts Earns Litany of Awards: For his performance from April 13-April 17 (see Roberts explodes in Charleston note, VMI shortstop Sam Roberts earned a litany of awards early the following week. He was tabbed not only for his second Big South Player of the Week award this season, but also earned ECAC Player of the Week honors, as well as a spot in the Collegiate Baseball Hall of Fame s weekly All-Star Lineup. Roberts Explodes in Charleston: In one of the strongest weeks in Keydet baseball history, VMI shortstop Sam Roberts exploded offensively during games of April During those four contests, he hit.733 (11 for 15), scored eight runs, drove in nine and walked six times, including four in April 17 s game to tie a school record. The run was part of a streak of seven straight multi-hit games, during which Roberts hit.607 and raised his season average 55 points (to.391). Since that time, that run has ended (April 23 vs. Liberty) and Roberts average has fallen to.379. Haitsuka s Streak Ends: With an 0 for 4 outing in the April 22 game against Libert, Alex Haitsuka s career-best 19- game hitting streak came to an end. The senior catcher had posted a hit in every game since the conference opener, March 15 at Winthrop, and had also posted the longest Keydet hitting streak in two seasons. Liberty Takes 2 of 3 at Gray- Minor: In a series that was close throughout, the visiting Liberty Flames took two out of three from VMI Easter weekend at Gray-Minor Stadium. Friday s game saw Liberty strike for a run in the eighth off Coby Cowgill, leading to a 3-2 win, and Saturday s game was even more dramatic, as Jacob Morley hit an eighth-inning grand slam to put VMI ahead, but Sam Roberts blew the save in the ninth and the Keydets lost 8-6. Jason Farley helped VMI avert the sweep in Movin Up The Charts Career Batting Average 1. Chris Catanzaro Mike Lamore Phil Hubbard Kelly Sweppenhiser Sam Roberts Pres. 8. Graham Sullivan Pres. On-Base Percentage 1. Kelly Sweppenhiser Mike Lamore Sam Roberts Pres. 4. Chris Catanzaro Hits 1. Sam Roberts Pres. 2. Kelly Sweppenhiser T7. Graham Sullivan Pres. Doubles 1. Chris Catanzaro Sam Roberts Pres. T5. Graham Sullivan Pres. Runs Batted In 1. Chris Catanzaro T2. Sam Roberts Pres. Runs 1. Sam Roberts Pres. 2. Kelly Sweppenhiser Walks 1. Sam Roberts Pres. 2. Franco Martin Sacrifice Hits 1. Shane Geisslinger B.T Good T2. Jacob Morley Pres. T4. Justin Hess , Pres. Saves 1. Kevin Crum Jeff DeMara Michael Devine Pres. T8. Sam Roberts Pres. Fewest BB/9 1. Chris Henderson Jason Farley Pres. the second game Saturday, as he spun six innings of eight-strikeout, one-run baseball to propel his team to a 3-1 win. Of note, two streaks ended in the Liberty series, as Sam Roberts run of nine straight multi-hit games came to an end, as did Alex Haitsuka s 19-game hitting streak. VCU Downs Keydets, 4-2: The VCU Rams scored two unearned runs in the first inning to take the lead for good, and a ninth-inning VMI rally fell short, as VCU pre-

5 vailed 4-2 in non-conference baseball action Tuesday night in Richmond, Va. With one out in the first, John Lenherr hit a sharp ground ball to first baseman Alex Haitsuka. The Keydet senior misplayed the ball, allowing a run to score against VMI starter John Garrett (3-2). Michael Cheatham followed with an RBI double, scoring another run to put VCU up 2-0. VCU went to the ninth with a 4-2 lead, but Roberts laid a perfect bunt down a perfect bunt to get aboard with one out. Graham Sullivan and Justin Topping followed with hits, loading the bases, but Berkley Hawkins bounced into a double play to end the game. VMI Wins in Williamsburg For First Time Since 1996, 5-1: Sam Roberts capped a nine-pitch battle with the game's key hit, a two-run sixth-inning single, and four VMI pitchers combined to scatter seven hits as the Keydets defeated the William & Mary Tribe, 5-1, in non-conference baseball action Wednesday night, April 13 in Williamsburg, Va. The win was VMI's first in Williamsburg since 1996, as the Keydets won at Plumeri Park, which opened in 1999, for the first time ever. With VMI leading 2-0 going to the sixth, Justin Topping led off with a double and went to third on a passed ball. Rob Dickinson followed with an infield hit, and Jacob Morley followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0. A fielder's choice and a ground out put runners on second and third with two out, setting up Roberts' at-bat versus pitcher Matt Wainman. Wainman got ahead with two quick strikes, but then threw three balls, and Roberts prolonged the at-bat by fouling off three other pitches. Finally, on the ninth pitch, the VMI shortstop looped a single to center, scoring two runs and giving the Keydets a 5-0 lead. The Tribe scored a run in the sixth, but could not manage anything else, as Travis Thomas and Sam Roberts shut out the home team over the final three innings. Keydets Drop Two of Three to Radford: VMI took game one 10-7 after the contest was suspended Friday, but Radford rallied to sweep a Sunday doubleheader and take the series 2-1 in a Big South weekend set April 8-10 in Radford, Va. The Keydets jumped on top in game one, taking the contest buoyed by a five-run seventh inning. Alex Haitsuka had the key blow, a threerun, bases-clearing double as VMI won Radford took the Sunday opener, 6-5, as Abram Williams got the final three outs with the bases loaded in the ninth, and the homestanding Highlanders then scored 14 runs in the nightcap to win the series. VMI Falls to Virginia Tech, 11-2: When Was The Last Time VMI... Scored 20 or more runs in a game , vs. Maryland Eastern Shore, March 6, 2010 Had 20 or more hits in a game , vs. Maryland Eastern Shore, March 6, 2010 Scored 10 or more runs in an inning , vs. High Point, May 21, 2011 Allowed 20 or more runs in a game , vs. Presbyterian College-1, May 21, 2010 Allowed 20 or more hits in a game , vs. Presbyterian College-1, May 21, 2010 Was shut out at Coastal Carolina, May 1, 2011 Shut out an opponent vs. High Point (4-0), May 20, 2011 Pitched back-to-back complete games...vs. UNCA (Smink & Henderson), March 21-22, 2009 Hit back-to-back home runs vs. VCU, (Roberts & Spangenberg), April 20, 2010 Hit 5 or more home runs in a game , vs. La Salle-Game 2, March 13, 2010 Hit 7 or more home runs in a game....7, vs. Gardner-Webb, April 10, 2009 (School Record) Had two players with five hits in a game..vs. UMES, (S. Roberts, 6 & Hess, 5), May 9, 2008 Had two players with two home runs in a game.vs. GWU (Haitsuka & Biagini), April 10, 2009 Allowed an Opponent 3 hits or less , at Charleston Southern, April 15, 2011 Allowed an Opponent 1 hit or less , vs. Coppin State, April 14, 2007 Swept a Conference series at home vs. UNC Asheville, May 13-15, 2011 Swept a Conference series on the road at Charleston Southern, April 15-17, 2011 Beat a Ranked Team at No. 27 James Madison (8-2), March 8, 2011 Won a Series Against a Ranked Team.....vs. No. 16 Winthrop, May 19-21, 2006 (First Ever) Won a Postseason Game.....vs. #7 UNC Asheville (7-4), May 25, 2010 (Big South Champ.) Was Ranked In A National Poll..April 12, 2010, No. 26 by Collegiate Baseball (Highest-Ever) When Was The Last Time A Keydet... Had five hits in a game graham Sullivan, vs. High Point, May 21, 2011 Scored five runs in a game a.j. Yoder, vs. Gardner-Webb, April 10, 2009 Had seven RBIs in a game robert Crumpler, vs. Fairfield, March 7, 2005 Hit three doubles in a game alex Haitsuka, vs. UNC Asheville, May 14, 2011 Hit two triples in a game a.j. Yoder, vs. Savannah State, March 31, 2007 Hit a grand slam alex Haitsuka, vs. Winthrop, May 16, 2010 Hit an inside-the-park home run mike Roberts, at Auburn, March 6, 2008 Had a pinch-hit home run andrew Montague, vs. Presbyterian College, May 20, 2010 Hit two home runs in a game jordan Ballard, at Gardner-Webb, April 10, 2010 Hit home runs in consecutive at bats.....cory Spangenberg, at Gardner-Webb, April 9, 2010 Had a walk-off RBI Cory Spangenberg (HR), vs. La Salle-Game 1, March 13, 2010 Had a walk-off hit cory Spangenberg (HR), vs. La Salle-Game 1, March 13, 2010 Hit a walk-off home run......cory Spangenberg (HR), vs. La Salle-Game 1, March 13, 2010 Hit for the cycle alex Haitsuka, vs. Longwood, April 6, 2010 Had two hits in an inning..graham Sullivan & George Piccirilli, vs. High Point, May 21, 2011 Stole home graham Sulilvan (Double steal), vs. Rider, March 8, 2009 Stole five bases in a game shane Geisslinger, vs. Richmond, April 12, 2006 Struck out 10 or more batters..adam Lopez (11), vs. Maryland Eastern Shore, March 5, 2009 Struck out 12 or more batters trey Barham (12), at James Madison, May 17, 2006 Struck out 15 or more batters....grayson Craun (15), vs. Appalachian State, April 11, 1998 Pitched a complete game (9 inn.)...jason Farley, vs. Charleston Southern-2, March 27, 2010 Threw a shutout (9 inn.) j.j. Hollenbeck, vs. North Carolina A&T, May 13, 2006 Had a hitting streak of at least 19 games......alex Haitsuka, March 15-April 19, 2011 (19) Hit.400 in a season (Minimum 150 at bats) greg Weddle,.446, 1986

6 The Virginia Tech Hokies scored four runs in the first inning Wednesday, April 6, and never trailed, en route to an 11-2 win over the VMI Keydets in non-conference baseball action in Lexington, Va. Virginia Tech (15-16) got a two-out, two-run double from shortstop Tim Smalling in the first, and then Lexington native Tony Balisteri hit his fifth home run of the year, a shot to left-center field off Keydet starter Travis Thomas (2-1). The Hokies would lead by as many as 11 runs before the Keydets scored the last two, accounting for the final margin. Thomas took the loss for VMI, surrendering four earned runs over 1 1/3 innings. He did retire all four hitters via strikeout, but gave up five hits in the outing. Patrick Scoggin earned the win, moving to 2-1 with 3 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. Keydets Drop Two of Three to Gardner-Webb in Offensive Battle: VMI scored 28 runs in the April 1-3 three-game set with Gardner- Webb, but lost the series 2-1 as the Runnin Bulldogs managed to tally 32 in one of the highest-scoring three-game sets in Gray-Minor Stadium history. VMI took the opener Friday behind Coby Cowgill and home runs by Justin Hess and Graham Sullivan, but Gardner-Webb would not trail the rest of the series en route to 10-7 and wins in the final two games. The Keydets did get strong production from Sullivan (4 for 5 Saturday) and Hess (two home runs, 4 for 8 in the series) despite the negative overall result. Long Way to Go Home: Prior to the April 1-3 series with Gardner-Webb, VMI endured an epic layover between home games. The Keydets had an 18-day layoff between home games scheduled, due to a Spring Break trip to Oregon. However, both of their next two games, midweek tilts with VCU and Richmond, were rained out, pushing that home return to April 1. That made the layoff between games at Gray-Minor Stadium (March 5 to April 1) 26 days. That is the longest layoff between VMI home games since 2000, when the Keydets started the year on Feb. 11 and did not play a home game until March 18, a span of 29 days. In between March 5 s doubleheader with Bucknell and the April 1 win over Gardner-Webb, the Keydets traveled approximately 6,918 miles for their road contests. To put that distance in perspective, it is slightly less than the distance of a round-trip journey from Lexington to Belfast, Ireland. Keydets Take Two of Three from Presbyterian College: Alex Haitsuka and Justin Hess each hit.400, and Hess drove in four runs in the series to propel VMI to a series win over Presbyterian College the weekend of March in Clinton, S.C. VMI took the opener Friday behind Coby Cowgill s strong pitching, as the right-hander overcame three balks and allowed just one earned run. It was the fourth straight start in which Cowgill allowed one earned run or less, a streak dating back to Feb. 23. The Keydets then split a doubleheader Sunday, winning game one behind Jason Farley s first win of the season, but dropping game two when PC scored three runs in the ninth of Keydet reliever Sam Roberts. In the series, George Piccirilli extended his hitting streak to a team season-high 12 games. Keydets Prevail Versus Longwood, 5-4: Graham Sullivan hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie, and Chase Worthington went 2 for 3 with a home run as the VMI Keydets defeated the Longwood Lancers, 5-4, in non-conference baseball action Tuesday night, March 22, in Farmville, Va. Worthington also started the eventual game-winning rally, as he was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh. After Justin Hess got down a sacrifice bunt, Sam Roberts singled to right field, but Longwood (17-7) right fielder Dustin Sollars came up throwing and held Worthington at third. Sullivan then delivered a sacrifice fly to break the tie and give the Keydets ( ) the one-run lead, which they would not relinquish. Piccirilli s Career Day Gives Keydets Series Finale: First baseman George Piccirilli had a career day in March 20 s series finale at Winthrop. The junior went 4 for 5 with four RBI and three extrabase hits, including a three-run, game-breaking home run in the eighth inning for his second long ball of the year. The effort gave the Keydets their first conference win of the season after losing the first two games of the series by a combined two runs. Sullivan Heats Up During Trip West: Senior outfielder Graham Sullivan went on a tear during a five-game stretch, beginning March 8. During that time, he hit.476 with four doubles, and also drove in five runs. That effort was highlighted by a 5 for 9 run over two games, including going 2 for 5 with three runs driven to lead the Keydets over #27 James Madison. Brown Dominates Early: Junior right-hander Jeremy Brown has had a strong start to the year, including being a part of VMI s first two combined shutouts since Brown s ERA sat at 0.90 through games of March 13, and despite giving up just one run over five innings March 20 at Winthrop, actually rose to He has thrown a career-high six innings three times this season. VMI Drops Pair at Oregon State: After taking two games from the New Mexico State Aggies March in Corvallis, Ore., the Keydets dropped a pair to the hosting Oregon State Beavers. OSU scored the first seven runs to take the opener, 13-3, and got strong pitching to take game two, 5-1. Keydets Take Two From New Mexico State: Sparked by strong pitching, VMI captured both games from New Mexico State at the round-robin tournament in Corvallis, Ore., March 11 and 12. In game one, NMSU took a 1-0 lead in the fourth against Coby Cowgill, who allowed just one hit over six innings. VMI rallied by scoring 2011 Broadcast Schedule March 23 VCU at VMI WREL/Internet March 30 UR at VMI WREL/Internet Apr. 1 GWU at VMI WREL/Internet Apr. 3 GWU at VMI WREL/Internet/BSN Apr. 5 Va. Tech at VMI Internet Apr. 8 VMI at Radford WREL/Internet Apr. 10 VMI at Radford WREL/Internet Apr. 19 VMI at VCU Internet Apr. 26 JMU at VMI WREL/Internet May 13 UNC Asheville at VMI WREL/Internet/BSN May 14 UNC Asheville at VMI Internet/BSN May 15 UNC Asheville at VMI WREL/Internet/BSN May 19 High Point at VMI WREL/Internet May 20 High Point at VMI WREL/Internet/BSN May 21 High Point at VMI WREL/Internet/BSN May BSC Tournament WREL/Internet/BSN Games Produced by Other BSC Schools Apr VMI at Radford BSN Video Apr. 15, 17 VMI at CSU BSN Video Apr VMI at Coastal Carolina BSN Video Schedule is Subject to Change

7 Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry Overall Big South Totals the next three runs and took a 3-2 lead into the eighth, where the Keydets erupted for four runs en route to the 7-2 win. Game two saw Jeremy Brown and Alan Watts combine for their second shutout of the year, a 5-0 VMI win. Brown lowered his ERA to a sparkling 0.90, and became the first Keydet SP to start two shutouts since 2007, when Milwaukee farmhand Michael Bowman did so. VMI Knocks Off #27 James Madison 8-2, Wins in Harrisonburg For First Time in 35 Years: A two-out, five-run rally in the seventh inning broke open a close game and propelled the VMI Keydets to an 8-2 win over the #27 James Madison Dukes in baseball action Tuesday, March 8 in Harrisonburg, Va. The win was VMI's first against the Dukes in Harrisonburg since 1976, JMU's last season as a Division II team. With VMI leading 3-1 in the decisive inning, Cody Holder singled with one out. One out later, Sam Roberts was intentionally walked, but Graham Sullivan made JMU pay for that decision, hammering the first pitch down the left-field line for a two-run double. George Piccirilli followed with an RBI single, and after a walk, Jacob Morley singled home another run and Chase Worthington walked with the bases loaded, putting the Keydets up 8-1. JMU scored a single run in the ninth, accounting for the final margin. The win was VMI's first win over the Dukes in Harrisonburg since April 1, 1976, as VMI (7-6- 1) had been 2-27 against the Dukes at their home park previously. James Madison (11-2) had entered leading the country in runs per game (13.3), but Keydet pitching scattered 11 hits as Sam Roberts (1-1) got his first win of the year. Keydets Take Two of Three From Bucknell, Ikenberry Wins 200th: VMI captured two wins in three games against the Bucknell Bison in the series played March 4 and 5, including head coach Marlin Ikenberry s 200th career win in the series finale, the nightcap of a doubleheader on the 5th. In that game, trailing 3-0 headed to the sixth inning of the nightcap, VMI (6-6-1) quickly scored two runs, thanks to a Bucknell (3-7) throwing error and a George Piccirilli sacrifice fly. The next three hitters reached before Justin Topping tied the game with a single to right, and the Keydets took the lead when the next batter, Cody Holder, hit a slow roller in front of the plate. Reliever Marcus Garone fielded the ball, but threw high to the plate, allowing two runs to score. VMI would tack on two more in the inning, thanks to an Andrew Montague sacrifice fly and a Sam Roberts single, accounting for the seven runs. The outburst made a winner of reliever John Garrett (1-0), who surrendered two runs in the sixth inning, while Garone took the loss for Bucknell and fell to 0-1. Jeremy Brown was the VMI starter, and worked five innings, surrendering one run on three hits. Bucknell starter Jack Boehm took a no-decision. The first game of the twinbill saw Bucknell take the lead for good in the third and stave off a late VMI rally to win 4-2. Jason Farley took the loss in the opener, despite surrendering just three hits over eight innings. On the day, the VMI offense was led by Roberts, who went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and three walks, while Sullivan, Topping, Jacob Morley and Sullivan each had two hits in one of the contests. Finally, Ikenberry's 200 career wins are the most of any Institute coach, as well as the fifthmost in Big South history. The first game of the series saw George Piccirilli hit a tie-breaking home run in the middle innings, and Michael Devine strike out the final two hitters with the tying run on base as VMI won 6-5. Keydets and Spiders Tie for First Time in 100th Meeting: VMI scored six unanswered runs in the middle innings, but Richmond rallied with five straight runs late, and the Keydets and Spiders battled to a 6-6, 10-inning tie in baseball action Tuesday afternoon, March 1, in Richmond, Va. The game was called on account of darkness, and will not be resumed. After the Spiders scored an unearned run in the first, VMI (4-5-1) starter Coby Cowgill settled down and the Keydets took advantage. Graham Sullivan hit his first home run of the year in the third, and VMI added two each in the fourth and fifth before the Spiders (3-5-1) scored one each in the fifth and sixth and capped their rally with three in the eighth, tying the contest and accounting for the final score. The Keydet offense was led by George Piccirilli, who went 3 for 4 with a walk, and Big South Player of the Week Sam Roberts, who went 2 for 4. Cowgill threw five innings, allowing two runs (one earned), but Richmond scored off each of the next three Keydet relievers to rally. The game was the 100th meeting between the schools, and was the first recorded tie in the all-time series. It was also VMI s first recorded tie on the diamond since March 10, 1987, when the Keydets tied Florida Tech in a road contest. Roberts Named Big South Player of the Week: VMI senior shortstop Sam Roberts (Prince George, Va.) has been named the Big South Conference s Choice Hotels Player of the Week, for games played Feb , it was announced Mar. 1 by the League office. Roberts batted.583 (14-24) in six games last week, helping the Keydets turn in a 4-2 record. He had at least two hits in every game, including three hits in two outings. Roberts week included an RBI-double in VMI s seasonopening win against William & Mary last Tuesday, going 2-5 with a run scored in VMI s one-run loss at No. 10 Virginia, and finishing 5-7 in a doubleheader with Binghamton on Saturday. For the week, Roberts had a.600 onbase percentage, scored six times, knocked in four runs and had a double and stolen base. Keydets Take Three of Four from Binghamton: The VMI Keydets broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the seventh inning, and went on to add four additional runs in the eighth en route to a 9-2 win over the Binghamton Bearcats Sunday afternoon, Feb. 27, in the series finale between the clubs at Gray-Minor Stadium in Lexington, Va. Sam Roberts paced the Keydets by going 2 for 4, closing a week in which he hit.583, and also pitched six strong innings, overcoming four VMI errors by allowing just one unearned run. VMI dropped the opener of Saturday s doubleheader with Binghamton, but Jeremy Brown pitched six scoreless innings, a careerlong, and the Keydets took the nightcap 2-0. VMI also won the opener 5-3 behind Adam Lopez s nine strikeouts, and the Keydets have started the year 4-1 at Gray-Minor Stadium. Cowgill Sensational, but #10 UVA Rallies for Win: Sophomore Coby Cowgill turned in a brilliant start and VMI took a 3-2 lead into the eighth inning, but the #10 Virginia Cavaliers rallied for a 4-3 win over the Keydets in non-conference baseball action Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Davenport Field in Charlottesville, Va. Cowgill cruised through the first six innings Wednesday, allowing just one run. After a oneout walk in the seventh, he was pulled in favor of classmate John Garrett, who gave up an RBI double to cut the lead to 3-2. Then in the eighth, Garrett walked Steven Proscia to lead off the inning, and Danny Hultzen bunted his teammate to second base. VMI turned to Michael Devine (0-1) with the tying run on second, and after Devine got the inning's second out, Stephen Bruno singled to tie the game. John Barr followed with a double to right, scoring

8 Bruno and accounting for the final score. Cowgill was sensational in defeat, going 6 2/3 innings and surrendering two runs on just three hits. He walked three, struck out six and was helped by a double play in the sixth, which came with the bases loaded and one out. UVA's (4-0) Whit Mayberry (1-0), a season after being defeated by VMI (1-4) at Gray-Minor Stadium, picked up the win in relief by throwing 2 2/3 innings of scoreless action. Keydets Get First Win of 2011: Chase Worthington went 2 for 3 with a home run, and the VMI bullpen pitched six shutout innings to close out the game and propel the Keydets to their first win of the season, a 4-1 victory over the William & Mary Tribe Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 22, at Gray-Minor Stadium. Sunshine State Fails to Shine on VMI: Opening the season with a three-game series against #10 Florida State proved to be a daunting task, as the Keydets were swept Feb at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. VMI fell to 0-17 all-time against the Seminoles with the three losses. Lopez Named #4 Draft Prospect in Big South: VMI right-hander Adam Lopez was named the #4 MLB draft prospect in the Big South in Baseball America s 2011 College Preview, released Feb. 21. Lopez, the 6-5 Friday starter, trailed only Anthony Meo of Coastal Carolina, Blake Forsland of Liberty and Tyler Bream, also of Liberty. Keydets Face Tough Schedule: For the second straight year, VMI is set to play a schedule that includes two preseason top-15 teams. In addition to the season-opening three-game series at Florida State, the Keydets will take on #13 Virginia in a single game next Wednesday, Feb. 23. VMI will also play former College World Series Champion Oregon State on its home turf, as well as taking on American East Champion Binghamton and, of course, preseason Big South favorite and #24 Coastal Carolina. VMI has scored wins over ranked opponents in five of the past six seasons. Devine Named to Stopper of the Year Watch List: VMI's Michael Devine has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America Stopper of the Year Watch List, for the award given to the top relief pitcher in collegiate baseball, according to information released Tuesday, Feb. 1. Devine comes off a 2010 season in which he saved seven games, a total that ranked third in the Big South, and earned a 4-1 record with a 3.26 ERA. He enters his junior year needing just nine saves to tie for the most in school history. Devine was the only Big South pitcher on the list of 45 hurlers, as he joined a group that included 11 members of the NCBWA's three preseason All-American teams. Devine and Haitsuka Tabbed by College Baseball Insider: VMI's Michael Devine and Alex Haitsuka were tabbed in CollegeBaseballInsider.com's Big South Preseason information, released Wednesday, Feb. 2 by the organization. The information was the result of a poll of the league's head coaches, and Devine was selected as the league's top closer. Last year, Devine posted seven saves in 22 outings, to go along with a 4-1 record and a 3.26 ERA. He is expected to close games once again in 2011, and to team with Alan Watts and John Garrett to form an imposing back end of the Keydet bullpen. Haitsuka tied for a pair of honors in the poll, as he and Tucker Frawley of Coastal Carolina were each recognized as having the best catcher arm and being the best defensive catcher in the conference. The VMI backstop cut his passed ball total by nearly half last season, reducing the mark to 11. Haitsuka also hit.348 with seven home runs, en route to earning Second Team All-Big South honors. Keydets Voted Fifth in Big South Preseason Poll: The VMI baseball team has been voted fifth in the Big South Conference s annual preseason poll, according to information released by the League Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 25. VMI earned 61 points in the poll, tying Radford for fifth. Despite both clubs being tagged for three third-place votes, both the Keydets and Highlanders trailed third-place Winthrop (68 points) and fourth-place High Point (63 points). Coastal Carolina, for the fourth year in a row, was picked as the preseason favorite. The Chanticleers were a unanimous selection, earning all 10 first-place votes a year after going undefeated in conference action and advancing to a Super Regional. Liberty was the #2 pick, earning all 10 second-place votes. Trailing VMI and Radford were seventh-place Gardner-Webb, who notched 39 points, and eighth-place Charleston Southern (30 points). UNC Asheville and Presbyterian College brought up the rear, with 26 and 12 markers respectively. The Keydets come off a season in which they set nine offensive school records, bested then-#1 Virginia to earn VMI s first win over a topranked athletic team and saw program home run leader Jordan Ballard drafted by the Colorado Rockies. VMI also jumped out to an 18-1 start, and climbed to the program s highest national ranking, 26th. All-Big South Players Return: VMI returns a pair of All-Conference honorees from its 2010 squad, catcher Alex Haitsuka and outfielder Graham Sullivan. Haitsuka's (Alexandria, Va.) Second Team selection came after the junior hit a career-high.350 with seven doubles, seven home runs and 28 RBIs. VMI's starter behind the plate for 44 contests in 2010, Haitsuka was also named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List last season, awarded to the nation's top catcher. He became the first Keydet catcher to earn All-Conference accolades since VMI joined the Big South. Sullivan (Manassas, Va.) enjoyed a standout season for the Keydets in 2010, hitting.362 with 19 doubles, 10 home runs and 55 RBIs. Sullivan ranked among the top 10 in the league in total bases, RBIs, slugging percentage, doubles and home runs. He enjoyed a 27-game stretch during which he hit.424 with 12 doubles, eight home runs and 43 RBIs, and had game-winning hits against High Point, Lafayette, UNC Asheville and JMU. His selection marks the first time that VMI has had an All-Conference outfielder since Ryan Glynn earned First Team honors in the SoCon in Records Fell in 2010: There is little doubt that 2010 will be regarded as the best offensive season in VMI s baseball history. The team shattered most of the offensive standards en route to one of its most successful seasons on record. The team set new school records for batting average (.325), slugging percentage (.529), hits (629), runs (414), doubles (133), home runs (78), RBIs (390), at bats (1933) and total bases (1022). As far as percentages go, this year s.328 batting average and.536 slugging percentage would each top the charts. On the mound, the staff s 441 strikeouts were tied for the most in school history, while the team s 8.26 strikeouts per nine innings rate is the third-best. In addition, the 11 saves the team posted is tied for fourth on the list and the 3.46 walks per nine innings rate comes in seventh. Finally, the team s ERA (5.43) ranks ninth in the Alumnium Bat Era. The team also fielded at a.963 clip, a number that ranks as the thirdbest in program history. Latham Named New VMI Baseball Assistant: Daniel Latham, former assistant coach at High Point and 15th-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, has been named the new assistant