Late-Innings Rally Gives JMU 9-4 Triumph Over Buffalo in Series Finale

Sunday, March 5

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

8-2

Buffalo

4-5

Buffalo

James Madison

Late-Innings Rally Gives JMU 9-4 Triumph Over Buffalo in Series Finale

3/5/2017 5:30:00 PM | Baseball

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – Three different players recorded three hits and James Madison baseball used a five-run seventh inning and three-run eighth to rally past Buffalo 9-4 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon inside Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Dukes took two out of three to win the series and improved to 8-2 this season, while the Bulls dropped to 4-5.

Three Dukes recorded a game-high three hits in the win. Junior infielder Bradley McKay and junior catcher Ryan Coale both went 3-for-4 and reached base four times apiece. McKay had two RBI and a run, and Coale scored twice. Redshirt junior infielder Josh Wyatt was also 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run. Additionally, junior outfielder Jack Hamner and junior infielder Kyle McPherson each had two RBI. Junior outfielder Adam Sisk closed his strong weekend with two more hits and a walk.

JMU's bullpen once again provided solid innings, conceding just two hits and a walk over four innings. Freshman relief pitcher Kevin Kelly (2-0) earned his second win in as many days, striking out one batter in his 1.0 inning of work in the seventh. The Dukes scored five runs in the bottom half to take the lead, earning him the decision. Senior Michael Evans closed the door with a six-out save, striking out three batters and allowing just one hit. Josh Silvestri made the start, giving up four runs, four hits and four walks in 5.0 innings.

JMU held a 14-6 hits advantage and had 10 free passes from its seven walks and three hit batters. The Dukes finished the game hitting .333 (7-21) with runners in scoring position and .417 (5-12) with two outs. Six of JMU's nine runs were scored with two outs.

The Bulls took an early 2-0 lead with a run in each of the first two innings. JMU struck on a RBI single in the fourth, but Buffalo extended its lead to 4-1 on a two-run home run by Vinny Mallaro in the sixth. JMU stranded 13 runners on base through the first six innings but put together a run in the seventh, striking for five runs to take a 6-4 advantage.

After junior outfielder Mike Sciorra drove in a run on a RBI hit by pitch, Hamner ripped a two-RBI single to left to tie the game at 4-4. On the ensuing at-bat, McPherson singled up the middle, scoring Sciorra and Hamner to cap the inning. JMU tacked on three more in the eighth on a single by Wyatt and double from McKay.

QUOTING COACH IKENBERRY
"Baseball is a funny game. When you leave 13 runners on base in the first six innings and strike out eight times with guys in scoring position, you're not supposed to win those games, but our guys just grinded it out," Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry said. "We got a big hit from Hamner [in the seventh]. We had guys on base all day and need a big hit to break it open. I'm proud of the way they battled today."

PHOTO OF THE GAME - view full photo gallery

Ky Parrott gets ready to drive in a run with his RBI single in the fourth.

BULLPEN KEYS DUKES TO SERIES VICTORY
For the second straight game, the bullpen earned JMU a win. Kevin Kelly won his first two career games in a matter of 24 hours, while pitching just 2.1 innings combined. The Dukes were able to surge ahead in both games while he was in the game. After capturing the lead in the seventh on Sunday, Michael Evans entered the game and pitched a gem, earning his third save of the season after striking out three and conceding just a run in 2.0 innings of work.

"It's a special group," Ikenberry said. "Evans has been there for his entire career and we have two new guys in Colon and Kelly. It gives us options late in the game who are very viable. They're going to come in and throw strikes. It's fun to watch."

BOTTOM OF THE ORDER DELIVERS
JMU's No. 5, 7 and 8 hitters were on base early and often in Sunday's finale, combining to hit 9-for-13 with five runs, three RBI. It was the first three-hit game for Ryan Coale while the three-hit outings for Josh Wyatt tied his career high and was one off Bradley McKay's career best.

UP NEXT
JMU hits the road for a two-game series at Old Dominion on Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. both days. The Dukes open an eight-game homestand next weekend, beginning with a game against Coppin State on Saturday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.