ETSU baseball vs. VMI (Contributed/ETSU Athletics)

ETSU baseball opened the final month of the regular season with another huge statement win on Friday , defeating VMI 9-2 to claim their 32nd win of the year and improve to 9-4 in Southern Conference play. After weather canceled Saturday’s game, the Bucs then swept a doubleheader Sunday 6-3 and 12-6.

With the sweep, the Bucs also became the 10th team in Southern Conference history to hit 100 home runs on the season.

The Bucs got hot early in the first game and never looked back, using timely hitting and dominant relief pitching to push their win streak over the Keydets to five straight games.

Tristan Curless came in clutch, again leading ETSU’s offense with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs. He was one of four Bucs to cross the plate twice, joining Blake Jacklin, Grant Gallagher, and Axel Melendez. Gallagher, showing his slugging ability, knocked back his 19th home run of the season in the ninth. JD Yakubinis also got two of the men in blue and gold home with two RBIs. Joey Little also added an RBI double in the sixth.

On the mound, Carter Fink threw 4.2 scoreless innings before giving way to Brady Frederick, who struck out five across 3.1 perfect innings. Frederick has been lights out on the mound, now posting 10 straight scoreless innings over his last four appearances. Logan Grass and JR Fordham ended the game and tag teamed the final set of outs.

VMI was held down with just five hits all game, with two RBIs coming in the bottom of the ninth from Ryan Peterson and Ayden Schnarrs. Despite the late push, the Keydets earned their sixth straight SoCon game loss and fell to 26-21 overall (5-11 SoCon).

Following the VMI series the Bucs traveled Asheville, North Carolina, to take on UNC Asheville in a one game matchup, winning 12-5. The Buccaneers hope to keep their foot on the gas, as the last month of the regular season is coming to a close. After series against Wofford and The Citadel to close the regular season, the Bucs will be in Southern Conference Tournament action. The tournament is May 21-25 in Greenville, South Carolina.

For more information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com.

 

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