LEXINGTON, Va. (Interstat) — The Virginia Military Institute Keydets host the Norfolk State Spartans on Tuesday at Gray-Minor Stadium, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. under a forecast of 61 degrees and rain.

VMI (27-23) enters the nonconference matchup after a 11-1 loss at Mercer on Sunday. Norfolk State (18-28) dropped an 11-8 decision to Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday, despite a strong offensive showing from third baseman Kydese Queen.

Queen went 2-for-5 with three RBIs in that defeat, continuing a productive stretch. Over his last 10 games, the Spartans’ infielder has recorded multiple hits in six contests, including three-hit performances against Maryland-Eastern Shore and Le Moyne. For the season, Queen is the primary offensive weapon for a Norfolk State lineup that has struggled to generate consistent runs.

VMI will counter with right-hander Buddy Baker, who has appeared in relief in recent outings. Baker threw 1⅓ scoreless innings against Mercer on Sunday, allowing no hits and one earned run. On April 14, he tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against these same Spartans in an 8-4 VMI win. The Keydets have won all three meetings this season between the two programs, including a 15-10 victory on March 11.

Norfolk State’s pitching staff has been inconsistent, yielding 10 or more runs in five of its past 11 games. Sunday’s starter Yasseel Samboy worked three innings, allowing two earned runs on one hit with three strikeouts.

VMI’s offense has been powered by first baseman Grayson Fitzwater, who homered Sunday at Mercer. The Keydets have scored at least eight runs in two of their last three matchups with Norfolk State.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 4-1 Norfolk State victory, though VMI holds a clear statistical edge in overall record and recent head-to-head form.

Both teams face conference series this weekend. Norfolk State travels to Stonehill for a three-game set beginning Thursday. VMI hosts The Citadel for a three-game Southern Conference series starting Thursday.

Notes: Norfolk State designated hitter Mason Mompoint drove in two runs Sunday. VMI reliever Jim Douthat did not record an out but allowed no runs in his last appearance.