Second Game Comeback Gives JMU Doubleheader Split with Bucknell

Saturday, February 20

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m./4 p.m.

James Madison University

1-1

Bucknell

1-1

Bucknell

James Madison

Second Game Comeback Gives JMU Doubleheader Split with Bucknell

2/20/2016 10:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Junior Ky Parrott's single to right plated the winning run in the 12^th inning as James Madison rallied from down four runs in the ninth to defeat Bucknell 7-6 and earn a doubleheader split on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.

After dropping the seven-inning opener, 4-2, and being held in check offensively in game two, JMU (2-1) sent nine batters to the plate against Bucknell (1-2) in the ninth. A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases with one out against a new Bison pitcher.

Two more pitching changes and RBI walks by Parrott and second baseman Kyle McPherson pulled JMU within two at 5-3 with one out. The Bison turned to closer Danny Rafferty, who recorded a strikeout but then watched redshirt senior Kyle Weston smack a two-run single to center to send the game to extra innings.

Rafferty, who blew the save after saving game one, held JMU at bay until the 12^th, when Tanner Dofflemyer led off with a double to left. Dofflemyer moved to third on a short bouncer to the pitcher. With two outs, redshirt senior shortstop Chad Carroll dropped a short chopper down the third base line and narrowly beat the throw to first to plate Dofflemyer with the tying run. Carroll stole second and came around to score on Parrott's single, with the throw home arriving high to the catcher.

Weston, Carroll and McPherson each had two hits for the Dukes. Freshman Matt Marsili earned his first collegiate victory after recording a pair of groundouts in the 12^th.

Bucknell second baseman Joe Ogren had three hits, including a solo homer in the 12^th to briefly give the Bison the lead. Center fielder Brett Smith also had three hits two RBIs and two runs. Rafferty took the loss after being tagged with two runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings with five strikeouts. Jeff Gottesman was in line for the win after four innings of two-hit relief until the pitching change in the ninth.

Quoting Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry on the rallies in the ninth and 12^th innings
"I just saw them lock in and start stringing together a lot of quality at bats. Once they did that, Bucknell started giving us some free bases and walking a few guys in a row. I thought Weston's at bat in the ninth changed the game. He set the tone tying it up. We had chances in the 10^th and 11^th to win it. I was excited though, the way Tanner hit his double. Chris Hanson was able to advance the runner, and Chad got his hit and stole second and Ky got his big hit. I think the guys just wanted it then once Chad got on second base."

Tweet of the Game

Beautiful day for @JMUBaseball ???? pic.twitter.com/aZSzlFWkFC
— JMUSports (@JMUSports) February 20, 2016

Game One: Bucknell 4, JMU 2
In the seven-inning opener, leadoff batters Smith and Rafferty each had two hits, a run and an RBI to lead the Bison to the 4-2 win.

The score was tied 2-2 heading into the seventh until Rafferty's triple to center gave the visitors the 3-2 lead. Ogren followed with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 4-2.

Rafferty tossed a perfect ninth for his first save of the season. Starter Mike Castellani tossed six innings to earn the win.

Reliver Ben Garner took the loss for the Dukes after allowing both runs in the seventh. Weston had JMU's lone RBI in the game with a double.

Yankey Makes Triumphant Return
Sophomore Eric Yankey played a big role in the game-two rally, tossing scoreless ninth and 10^th innings without allowing a hit. Not only was the effort significant for the Dukes, but it was noteworthy for Yankey in his first official action since a June vehicle accident ended the Valley native's summer season with the Harrisonburg Turks.

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Young Bullpen Comes Through
Aside from Yankey, three freshmen combined to give key contributions in relief over the final five frames. Jon Fisher worked a scoreless eighth, Christian Leckert allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings of work and Marsilli posted the final two outs for the win.

Filling the Box Score
New skipper Marlin Ikenberry had few names remaining on his lineup card as the Dukes used 21 total players in the second game, which included 18 lineup changes for JMU alone in 12 innings. Combined with three pitchers used in the opener, 24 total Dukes saw action on the day.

On Deck
The teams will close the four-game series at Eagle Field on Sunday with a 2 p.m. first pitch.