LEXINGTON, Va. (Interstat) — Cole Cook drove in five runs, including a decisive grand slam, as Virginia Military Institute routed Western Illinois 16-6 on Saturday at Gray–Minor Stadium.

The Keydets (13-2) overcame an early deficit, erasing a 6-1 hole with a five-run first inning highlighted by Seth Buchanan’s three-run double. Cook, who finished 3 for 3, broke a 6-6 tie with an RBI double in the sixth and blew the game open with his seventh-inning slam.

Despite outhitting VMI 11-8, the Leathernecks (3-10) grounded into three double plays. Liam Bushey and Joshua McClintock each hit two-run homers for Western Illinois. VMI starter Eli Tyndall earned the win, allowing one earned run over 4 2/3 innings.