JMU BASEBALL BEGINS LONG HOME STRETCH WITH LIBERTY & #1 VIRGINIA

After a tough eight-game swing in northern Florida, the Dukes return home this week to host seven games over the next nine days. JMU will face Liberty on Tues. at 4 p.m. and No.1 Virginia on Wed. at 6 p.m. The game against the Cavaliers will be the first night game in program history in brand-new Veterans Memorial Park.

The matchup against No. 1 Virginia is expected to challenge the current record attendance for a home game of 897, set on April 25, 2008 against VCU. Cancer survivor Justin Brown, an adopted Diamond Duke through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Advance ticket sales for both games are available on JMUSports.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate. Both games will feature special marketing promotions. The first 100 fans against Liberty on Tuesday will receive a Coca-Cola sponsored tote bag. Wednesday's game will be Student Appreciate Day with the first 100 students receiving free t-shirts sponsored by "Your Call" as well as purple and gold glow stick necklaces in honor of the first night game. The first 50 students will also receive a free hot dog and drink from the concession stand.

Both games will have live coverage on MadiZONE. Tuesday's game with Liberty will have a free live audio broadcast on MadiZONE while Wednesday's game will be part of JMU's premium live video package.

JMU went 3-5 on its spring break trip to Florida, where the Dukes faced North Florida, Alcorn State, Jacksonville, Stetson, and Illinois State. Redshirt senior Matt Townsend had 10 RBIs, four doubles, and three home runs with a .393 average and .857 slugging percentage to highlight the offense. Freshman Johnny Bladel moved into the leadoff spot in the batting order during the trip and hit .357 with four doubles and six walks for a .486 on-base percentage. Senior Matt Browning also had a .486 on-base percentage with six walks and six RBIs.

On the mound, junior Kevin Munson struck out 14 in 7 2/3 innings with three saves and a 1.17 ERA during the trip. The three saves pushed him into the school career record with 16. Freshman Nick Slogik made his collegiate debut and pitched 4 2/3 over two appearances allowing just three hits and no runs. Junior Kyle Hoffman made two starts during the trip with a 3.48 ERA and 13 strikeouts.

LIBERTY

The Dukes will start off their home stand with an 11-2 Liberty squad on Tuesday. The Flames are coming off a 2-1 weekend series against St. John's. Three home runs helped Liberty take the 9-1 win in the first game of the series. In a tied eighth inning, the Flames scored five runs to take the 14-9 victory in the second game. A 7-6 victory in the 11^th inning sealed the sweep on Sunday. Liberty has had an impressive start to the 2010 season. They swept both Kennesaw State and Delaware State and went 3-0 in the UNC Wilmington Tournament. Liberty is hitting .321 and holds a team ERA of 2.23.

VIRGINIA

Virginia (12-3) continues to hold the No.1 spot in several national polls after the series against Florida State last weekend. Sophomore Danny Hultzen pitc