JMU BASEBALL DROPS HOME FINALE TO GEORGE WASHINGTON 11-8

Tuesday, May 15

Harrisonburg, Va.

TBA

James Madison University

21-29

George Washington

20-31-1

George Washington

James Madison

JMU BASEBALL DROPS HOME FINALE TO GEORGE WASHINGTON 11-8

5/15/2007 4:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va., May 15, 2007 ? George Washington University staked itself to an early lead with a five-run first inning and went on to record the 11-8 win over James Madison University in a non-conference game on Tuesday afternoon in the home finale at Long Field/Mauck Stadium.

GWU improved to 20-31-1 and won its third in a row. The Colonials also earned a season series split with the Dukes, who won the first meeting April 11 in Arlington 21-4. JMU fell to 21-29 and lost its third in a row.

Both teams used six pitchers in the game while preparing for end of the week conference series. Freshman Bobby Lucas (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall College) earned the victory, allowing three runs on six hits in the first three innings. Redshirt senior Derek Haese (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) picked up his second save after recording the final out in the ninth.

Freshman Michael Brogan (Norfolk, Va./Maury) made his first collegiate start for the Dukes and took the loss after surrendering the five-run first inning. He worked just one inning in the game. Senior Bobby Lasko (Athens, Pa./Athens Area) worked a scoreless ninth inning in his final appearance on Long Field.

Senior Michael Parker (Newton, Mass./Newton South) had two hits, three RBIs, and two runs scored in the game, including his 10^th home run of the season for GWU. Freshman Tom Zebroski (Port Washington, N.Y./Paul Schreiber) had three hits, including a double, scored a run and drove in a run.

Junior Charlie Kruer (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge), junior Andrew Abokhair (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run), freshman Chris Holland (Pasadena, Md./Chesapeake), and sophomore Matt Boyd (Rockville, Md./Magruder) each had two hits and an RBI, with Holland driving in two. Freshman Curtis Eward (Oak Hill, Va./Oakton) added a solo home run.

Junior Kellen Kulbacki (Palmyra, Pa./Hershey) was 3-for-3 with two walks, two runs, two RBIs, and a home run in what is likely to be his final home game at JMU. The homer was his 19^th of the season and increased his JMU career record to 51. The six total bases moved him into second all-time with 447, passing Greg Miller (1998-01) at 444. The three hits also moved him into sole possession of 10^th all-time with 236. He needs just three to tie Michael Cowgill (2003-06) for eighth.

Freshman Matt Browning (Mystic, Conn./Fitch) also had three hits for the Dukes. Freshman Alex Foltz (Mathias, W.Va./East Hardy) had two hits, two runs, two RBIs, and a walk. His two hits included his second home run of the season. Senior Dan Santobianco (Wilmington, Del./Brandywine) also hit a two-run home run for the Dukes in his final home game. The shot moved him into a tie for fifth on the career chart with 34, matching recent JMU Hall of Fame inductee Jim Barbe (1974-77).

It was just the second time this season that the Dukes lost when hitting at least three home runs in a game.

GWU took command early in the first inning as redshirt senior Mickey Shupin (Sea Girt, N.J./Wall) led off the game with a hit by pitch and Zebroski hit an infield single. Parker followed with a home run to left field, his ninth of the season. The Colonials added a two-run single by Holland to make it a five-run inning.

JMU put two runs on the board in the second inning on a two-run home run to left field by Santobianco. It was his third home run of the season and the 34^th of his career to move into a tie for fifth all-time.

The Dukes got a leadoff walk from Kulbacki followed by a single from Browning in the third. After a strikeout, Fabiaschi singled to drive in a run and pull JMU within 5-3. JMU added a run in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Foltz, his second of the season.

The Colonials put two on the board