GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. VMI (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford baseball team will return home to play host to VMI in a three-game SoCon 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 and VMI have met 40 previous times, with Samford holding a 31-9 series lead. Last season, Samford won two-of-three games at VMI. The Keydets took the first game, 11-8, but Samford won the final two games, 9-2 and 16-4.
 
Samford is scheduled to start right-handed pitcher Joseph Lee (1-0, 4.03 ERA) on Friday. Right-handed pitcher Mason Blasche (1-5, 6.39 ERA) will start Saturday, while right-hander Noah Berry (2-1, 2.38 ERA) will start Sunday's game on the mound for Samford.
 
Samford comes into the weekend with a record of 14-17 overall and 2-4 in SoCon play. The Bulldogs dropped a 16-2 decision at eighth-ranked Alabama Tuesday night.
 
Samford has been led at the plate so far this season by Jake Souders, hitting .402 (47-of-117) with seven home runs and 21 RBI. Souders, Trey Higgins and Luke Boykin share the team lead in home runs with seven each. Boykin holds the team lead in RBI with 29 so far this season. Gus Gandy is hitting .315 (35-of-111) with seven homers and 23 RBI. Higgins is hitting .309 (29-of-94) with seven home runs and 23 RBI.
 
VMI enters the series with a record of 24-8 overall and 2-4 in the Southern Conference. The Keydets earned a 10-7 win over George Washington Tuesday night.
 
VMI has listed right-handed pitcher Justin Spiegel (0-1, 6.75 ERA) as its starter on Friday. Right-handed pitcher Roberto Velasquez (2-2, 5.23 ERA) will start for the Keydets on Saturday. VMI has not named a starter for Sunday's series finale yet.
 
VMI has been led at the plate so far this season by Grayson Fitzwater, hitting .385 (42-of-109) with 12 doubles, 12 home runs and 45 RBI.
 
All three games can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will be available as well. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: 2026 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).