GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. VMI (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University baseball team will open Southern Conference play by hosting the VMI Keydets in a three-game series this weekend at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The teams are scheduled to play Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Samford has a record of 13-7, and most recently earned a 7-2 win at in-state rival Jacksonville State Tuesday night. Last weekend, the Bulldogs split four games at Purdue.
 
Samford will start right-handed pitcher Michael Ross in Friday's series opener. Right-hander Brooks Rice will start Saturday's game. Samford has not named a starter for Sunday's game yet. .
 
So far this season, Samford has been led at the plate by Garrett Howe, batting .493 (35-of-71) with nine doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI. John Anderson is hitting .413 (26-of-63) with four doubles, five home runs and 22 RBI.
 
As a team, Samford currently leads the Southern Conference in home runs with 32. Individually, Howe leads the SoCon in batting average (.493), hits (35) and runs scored (29) and he ranks second in the SoCon in doubles (9) and on-base percentage (.602). Garrett Staton ranks third in the SoCon in runs scored (25) and is tied for third in home runs (7). Ross ranks third in the SoCon in innings pitched (29.1) and fourth in ERA (2.76).
 
VMI enters the series with a mark of 12-10 on the season. The Keydets defeated Radford by a score of 9-8 on Tuesday evening. Last weekend, the Keydets won two-of-three games at UNC Asheville.
 
At the plate for VMI, Justin Starke is batting .365 (27-of-74) with two doubles, a team-high seven home runs and 18 RBI. Ty Swaim is hitting .356 (31-of-87) with five doubles, a home run and 13 RBI. Grayson Fitzwater leads the team in RBI with 22.
 
Samford and VMI have met 34 previous times, with Samford owning a 26-8 series lead. Last season, Samford won two-of-three games at VMI. The Bulldogs took the first two games, 17-7 and 9-7 and dropped game three, 8-7.
 
All three games can be seen live online via ESPN+. Fans can also follow the games online via live stats. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: BASEBALL SCHEDULE.
 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).