HOFSTRA?S FIVE-RUN EIGHTH DEFEATS JMU 6-4

Saturday, May 15

Hempstead, N.Y.

2:00 PM

James Madison University

25-20, 15-5

Hofstra

20-24-1, 10-10

James Madison

Hofstra

5/15/2010 6:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., May 14, 2010 - Hofstra sent 10 batters to the plate in a five-run eighth inning to rally for a 6-4 victory over James Madison in the second game of a Colonial Athletic Association baseball series on Saturday afternoon at University Field.

HU improved to 20-24-1 on the season and remained in position to contend for the fourth spot in the CAA Championship, sitting at 10-10 just one game back of UNC Wilmington, which is finished at 13-11. JMU, which clinched its tournament spot Friday, fell to 25-20 overall and 15-5 in the league, still in first by half a game.

JMU led 3-1 going to the bottom of the eighth, thanks in large part to the starting effort of junior Turner Phelps (Roanoke, Va./Lord Botetourt). However, the bullpen was unable to find the strike zone. Three relievers in the eighth combined to issue two walks, hit three batters, and allow two hits in a five-run Pride rally for a 6-3 lead.

The Dukes managed to score on in the ninth and put the potential tying run in scoring position at second base before a groundout handed the Pride the win.

Andrew Barbarino was the benefactor of the Pride rally, improving to 2-1 with one run allowed on two hits in 3 1/3 innings. Jeff Guthridge recorded the final out for his second save. Starter David D'Errico allowed three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings in the start.

Phelps allowed one run on seven hits in seven innings of work. He struck out seven and issued no walks for the first time this season. He was at 92 pitches when he exited after seven innings. Sophomore Evan Scott (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) took the loss after hitting two batters and walking one with all three later scoring.

Right fielder Elliott Hagburg went 4-for-4 with three RBIs and three doubles for the Pride. He was the only batter with multiple hits or multiple RBIs.

Redshirt junior first baseman Trevor Knight (Charlottesville, Va./St. Anne's-Belfield), senior Matt Browning (Mystic, Conn./Fitch), and senior second baseman Mike Fabiaschi (Torrington, Conn./Torrington) each went 2-for-4 with an RBI for JMU.

JMU struck first in the first inning as Knight drew a walk and Lowery hit a one-out single. Browning then doubled to right field to score Knight and advanced to third on a throw home that retired Lowery at the plate.

Hofstra put together a two-out rally in the second as A'Hara singled and stole second. Hagburg then doubled to right to tie the score with the first Hofstra run.

In the fourth, Kenny knocked a one-out triple but was stranded at third after a strikeout and a grounder. JMU responded with a two-out rally as Bladel reached on a bunt single to end a string of six straight batters retired. He scored on a double to left center by Fabiaschi for the 2-1 lead.

The Pride appeared poised to tie the score in the bottom of the fifth as a double and single put runners on the corners to lead off the frame. A ground out moved a second runner into scoring position. However, Hagburg was retired at home trying to score on a sacrifice fly for the inning-ending double play.

Redshirt senior catcher Brett Garner (Burke, Va./Lake Braddock) and Browning each singled in the sixth to put two on. Freshman left fielder Matt Tenaglia (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) then singled to center for a 3-1 JMU lead. The Dukes loaded the bases with one out, but a fielder's choice retired Browning at home and another