LEXINGTON, Va. (March 11, 2025) – A program-record 10 homeruns, including two grand slams, propelled the Stonehill College baseball team to its first win of the season, 23-19, against the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Tuesday afternoon. With the win, the Skyhawks improved to 1-10 overall, while the Keydets dropped to 12-4 on the season.   

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Skyhawks set program records, registering 10 homeruns on the day, including two grand slams. It also marks the most homeruns in a single game by a Northeast Conference member from 1999.
• Stonehill's 23 runs on the day marked the most scored since the Skyhawks put up 23 against Coppin State on April 26, 2024. In addition, it marks the most runs by an NEC institution this season and the most since FDU posted 28 runs against Norfolk State on May 3, 2024.
• Graduate student Jack Thorbahn, senior Taylor Gaspar, and junior Sean McGee each launched two homeruns on the day.
• Senior Sam Parks and the sophomore trio of Grayson Sparr, Aidan Sengenberger, and Will Christopher also each added homeruns of their own.
• Thorbahn and Sengenberger extended their hitting streaks to 10 and five games, respectively, while junior Aidan Cohall improved his to six consecutive games.
• Senior Max Brulport picked up his first win of the season on the mound after holding VMI to two earned runs over 3.0 innings of relief.
• Juniors Owen Prince and Grayson Fitzwater, as well as sophomore Bradley Garner each recorded homeruns for the Keydets.
• Junior Hunter Sipe struck out a game-high three batters in 2.1 innings of relief for VMI.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Stonehill wasted no time taking control of the game, jumping to an early lead just six batters into the non-conference matchup. Sparr delivered a grand slam over the opposite field wall, giving the Skyhawks a 4-0 advantage. However, VMI quickly responded in the bottom of the first, plating four runs to even the score at 4-4.
 
In the top of the third, Gaspar reclaimed the lead for Stonehill with a two-run blast over the left-field scoreboard, scoring Thorbahn and putting the Skyhawks ahead 6-4. Despite regaining the lead, VMI surged ahead in the bottom of the fourth, plating four runs to take an 8-6 lead. The Keydets capitalized on key hits, including a two-run single from Prince that tied the game and sacrifice infield hits from Garner and sophomore Cole Raile, which set the stage for their two-run lead heading into the fifth.
 
Stonehill responded in dramatic fashion in the top of the fifth, erupting for 11 runs and seizing a commanding 17-8 lead. A pair of home runs by Thorbahn, a grand slam from McGee, and four RBIs from Sengenberger highlighted the Skyhawks' offensive barrage.
 
The Skyhawks continued to add to their lead in the seventh, scoring four more runs on three separate home runs in a span of four at-bats. Christopher began the homer parade with a two-run line drive to left, followed by back-to-back homers from Park and McGee, extending Stonehill's lead to 21-8.
 
VMI mounted a fierce rally in the bottom of the seventh, cutting the deficit to just four runs with nine runs of its own. However, Gaspar provided a crucial response for the Skyhawks in the top of the eighth, delivering his second home run of the day over the left-field fence to give Stonehill some breathing room.
 
Despite a late push by VMI, who scored two runs over the final two frames, the Keydets' comeback effort fell short as Stonehill held on to secure a 23-19 victory.
 
UP NEXT
Stonehill (1-10, 0-0 NEC) wraps up its two-game midweek set against VMI tomorrow afternoon. First pitch from Lamore Field at Gray-Minor Stadium between the Skyhawks and Keydets is set for 1 PM.
 
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