FORK UNION, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy Prep baseball team blew away Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, 12-2, Thursday afternoon at the Stadium Field. 
 
"It was great to see the success we had at the plate and to see the players having fun while doing it," said first-year head coach Jacob Grabeel. "I am thankful for our players efforts in practices, the coaches I have on my staff that are valuable to our success, and for the opportunity to work with good people that work at a school that I care about a lot. We are hoping this win is the first of many to come."
 
The win lifted the Blue Devils to 1-3 on the early season and gave head coach Jacob Grabeel his first career victory as head coach of his alma mater.
 
As a team, Fork Union tallied 15 hits with seven Blue Devils recording multiple-hit performances. Tucker Miller led the way, going 3-for-4 at the plate. JW Austin, Wesley Lay, Thomas Manganiello, Drew Wade, Tyler Manglicmot and Lance Gowans joined Miller in the multiple hits column. 
 
Gowans recorded a three-run homerun in the fourth for his first homer of the season. 
 
On the mound, Manglicmot earned the victory for Fork Union. The righty allowed just three hits and two runs over three innings, while striking out five. Wade appeared in relief, throwing three innings and striking out three. 
 
The Blue Devils return to the mound Tuesday, April 11 when they host Collegiate School for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch.