Hot VMI Set for Clash With Struggling George Washington

ARLINGTON, Va. (Interstat) — A surging Virginia Military Institute baseball team will look to extend its impressive start when it visits George Washington for a nonconference matchup Tuesday evening at Barcroft Park.

The Keydets (19-4) enter on a high note, having won nine of their last ten games, including a 9-1 rout at Radford on Sunday. VMI’s pitching was dominant in that victory, with starter Roberto Velasquez and relievers Hunter Sipe and Tyler Bassett combining for eight shutout innings.

George Washington (8-14), meanwhile, seeks to halt a four-game skid after dropping a weekend series at Saint Joseph’s. The Revolutionaries fell 7-5 on Sunday despite three scoreless relief innings from Gavin Miller.

The game features a contrast in momentum. VMI’s .826 winning percentage ranks among the nation’s best, fueled by an offense that has scored nine or more runs in eight games this season. The Revolutionaries have been outscored 92-61 during their current 2-8 stretch.

A key matchup will be VMI’s lineup against George Washington’s bullpen, specifically Miller. The right-hander has been a bright spot, allowing just three hits and one earned run over his last 12 innings spanning five appearances, striking out 11.

For the Keydets, all eyes will be on Velasquez. The right-handed pitcher has been pivotal, most recently firing four innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts against Radford. In a March 1 start against Stonehill, he tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings.

The teams are scheduled for a rematch in Lexington, Virginia, on April 7. Following this contest, VMI opens a Southern Conference series at East Tennessee State on Friday. George Washington begins Atlantic 10 play at home against La Salle the same day.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies with temperatures near 59 degrees. Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-3 victory for the visiting Keydets.