LEXINGTON, Va. (Interstat) — Cole Raile went 4 for 5 with a home run and five RBIs to lead Virginia Military Institute to a 15-5 victory over Norfolk State on Tuesday night at Gray-Minor Stadium.

The Keydets improved to 28-23, while the Spartans fell to 18-29.

Virginia Military Institute erupted for 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning, sending 17 batters to the plate. Raile delivered a two-run single to center field, then added a sacrifice fly and a run-scoring single in the frame. Gabe Jenkins contributed a two-run single and Cole Cook added a two-run single as the Keydets batted around.

Norfolk State had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single by Mason Mompoint, but the Keydets answered immediately. Owen Prince and Grayson Fitzwater singled to start the inning, and after a walk loaded the bases, Raile’s single scored two. A walk, a sacrifice fly and a steal of home by Raile made it 4-1. Then walks, a double by Prince and a single by Raile pushed the lead to 11-0 before Cook’s two-run single capped the outburst at 13-1.

The Spartans chipped away in the fourth inning. Jaydan Israel singled in a run, Thomas Ealey singled in two and Cam Mazell walked with the bases loaded to force in another, making it 13-5.

But Virginia Military Institute answered in the bottom of the fourth. Grayson Fitzwater doubled and scored on Raile’s two-run homer to right center, restoring the 10-run margin.

Relievers Jim Douthat and Tyler Bassett combined for 3 2/3 hitless innings to close out the game. Douthat worked two innings, allowing one hit with three strikeouts. Bassett struck out three in 1 2/3 innings. Nolan Williamson faced one batter and gave up a hit but did not allow a run.

For Norfolk State, Myles Crocker tossed two hitless innings with three strikeouts. James Godfrey allowed two earned runs in three innings. The Spartans collected nine hits, led by Israel’s two hits and Mompoint’s RBI single.

Raile’s performance highlighted a bounce-back effort after the Keydets had lost three straight at Mercer. He had gone 1 for 4, 2 for 3 and 0 for 3 in those games, respectively. His five RBIs Tuesday were a season best.

Norfolk State had lost four of its previous five games entering Tuesday, including a sweep at home against Fairleigh Dickinson and a 14-3 loss to VCU.

The Spartans scored all five of their runs in the fourth inning but could not sustain the momentum. The Keydets’ pitching staff struck out nine batters and walked eight, while Norfolk State pitchers struck out four and walked 10.

Defensively, Virginia Military Institute turned two double plays, including a 6-4-3 twin killing in the fifth inning that erased a leadoff single.

Virginia Military Institute is scheduled to host The Citadel for a three-game series starting Thursday. Norfolk State travels to Stonehill for a three-game set beginning Thursday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Norfolk State 4, Virginia Military Institute 1, while Interstat’s ELO system gave the Keydets an 82.50 percent probability to win.