Dukes Drop Pitchers' Duel at Maryland

Wednesday, April 6

College Park, Md.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

13-16

Maryland

15-15

James Madison

Maryland

4/6/2016 8:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - James Madison tallied just three hits on Wednesday night as the Dukes dropped a 5-2 non-conference decision to Maryland at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium.

The Dukes, who fell to 13-16 with the loss, played well on the defensive end, yielding no errors as four pitchers surrendered just eight hits combined, but Maryland starter Hunter Parsons gave up just two hits across seven complete innings to lead the Terrapins to 15-15 on the year.

Junior catcher Zach Tondi opened the scoring in the top of the second when he blasted a 2-1 pitch over the right field wall to stake the Dukes a 1-0 lead with one out in the frame. The long ball would stand as JMU's only extra-base hit on the evening, however, as junior left fielder Ky Parrott and senior third baseman Kyle Weston tallied singles to provide the Dukes' only other hits.

Freshman right-hander Daniel Pinson (0-3) took the loss on the afternoon for JMU, despite a solid midweek start, his fifth of the season. The Midlothian, Va. native threw a career-high five innings, surrendering just four hits and striking out four with a two-run homer representing the only runs.

Parsons struck out four in his start and did not allow a hit from the Dukes across his final four frames. Maryland would take the lead on a two-out, two-run homer from shortstop Kevin Smith in the bottom of the fourth before adding a run in the sixth and two a on a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh.

The Dukes plated their second run in the eighth after sophomores Logan Quimuyog and Tanner Dofflemyer each walked to open the frame. A pair of groundouts brought Quimuyog home before the Terps escaped the inning and JMU would get no closer.

No Maryland player tallied more than a single hit on the afternoon, as the Terps spread their eight hits throughout the lineup. Smith's home run and center fielder Madison Nickens' two-run double in the seventh would serve as Maryland's only extra-base hits.

QUOTING COACH IKENBERRY
"I thought Daniel Pinson pitched really well today against tough Maryland team. Both teams were swinging the bats early in counts, but the three runs our bullpen gave up late made the difference tonight."

REPEATING HOMERS
When junior catcher Zach Tondi homered in the top of the second inning, it marked the fourth straight game in which JMU has hit at least one home run, marking the longest streak of the 2016 season. The Dukes had previously homered in three consecutive games on two separate occasions.

UP NEXT
The Dukes will close out their eight-game road trip with a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series at Towson this weekend on Friday-Sunday, April 8-10. The Tigers are currently in sole possession of fourth place in the CAA, one spot behind JMU, with an 11-17 (2-1 CAA) mark on the year.

First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon, with 2 p.m. and 1 p.m. starts scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, respectively.