Baseball Preview: VMI Keydets at Longwood Lancers

FARMVILLE, Va. (April 21, 2026) (Interstat) — The Longwood Lancers host the Virginia Military Institute Keydets in a non-conference midweek matchup Tuesday at Bolding Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures near 59 degrees.

The Keydets (26-13) enter with the stronger overall record, but are looking to rebound after dropping a weekend series to Western Carolina, including a 4-3, 10-inning loss Sunday. The Lancers (23-16) are coming off a series win over Presbyterian, capped by a 6-5 victory Sunday.

A key pitcher to watch for VMI is Andrew Jones. The right-hander delivered five strong innings of relief Sunday, allowing two hits and no earned runs. His recent outings have been a mix of brilliance and struggle, including a six-strikeout, 3 2/3-inning scoreless appearance at East Tennessee State on March 27.

Longwood will counter with Jackson Garland, who earned the win Sunday after pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing three earned runs. Garland has shown swing-and-miss stuff lately, recording seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings at The Citadel on April 2.

At the plate, VMI’s Grayson Fitzwater provides power, hitting a home run and driving in three runs in Sunday’s loss. For Longwood, center fielder Tré Keels homered and had two RBIs in the same game.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 6-5 victory for VMI. The service’s ELO rating system gives the Keydets a 57.4% probability to win.

This game is the first of a home-and-home set between the in-state programs this month. They will meet again next Tuesday, April 28, in Lexington.

VMI travels to face High Point for a three-game series starting Friday. Longwood hits the road for a weekend series at Binghamton beginning Friday.