Late Run Lifts Dukes to 4-3 Win over Old Dominion

Wednesday, March 8

Norfolk, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

9-3

Old Dominion

9-3

James Madison

Old Dominion

3/8/2017 7:10:00 PM | Baseball

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NORFOLK, Va. – A ninth-inning run and two and two thirds scoreless innings of relief by senior Michael Evans gave James Madison baseball a 4-3 win over Old Dominion at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex on Wednesday afternoon.

Freshman designated hitter Garrett Marchand drew a one-out walk in the top of the ninth with the game tied 3-3. Freshman DaVonn Griffin pinch ran for Marchand, advancing to second and third on two wild pitches, then scoring on a passed ball.

Evans, who earned his first win of the year, entered the game in the seventh inning with one out, runners on second and third, and a 3-2 lead. The Monarchs tied the game on an RBI groundout by Shaun Wood, but Evans retired seven of the next eight batters, striking out two, to secure the victory.

Both the Dukes and Monarchs moved to 9-3 records on the season.

Redshirt junior second baseman Josh Wyatt led JMU at the plate with three hits and three RBIs. He started the game by lining a two-run double down the right field line in the first inning to score junior Adam Sisk and redshirt senior Brett Johnson, who had both singled. Wyatt put the Dukes ahead 3-2 in the sixth with a solo home run to left field, his second homer of the season.

Freshman pitcher Michael Bechtold put in another solid start, going five and one third innings while allowing just one earned run on four hits and four walks. Corey Klak (1-1) took the loss for the Monarchs.

WYATT'S BIG DAY
Josh Wyatt's three hits tied a career high and his three RBIs were a season high. The second baseman accounted for all three of the Dukes RBIs on Wednesday.

NATIONAL MATCHUP
Both James Madison and Old Dominion received votes in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll.

QUOTING COACH IKENBERRY
"Michael Bechtold did a nice job on the mound tonight. Josh Wyatt had a big day today and Michael Evans was electric out of the bullpen. We had to grind out that win and we did just that. I was proud of the way our guys competed."

UP NEXT
The Dukes return to Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park for a doubleheader against Coppin State on Friday, March 10 at noon. The games were originally scheduled for a weekend series, but incoming weather caused the schedule to change. Admission to all regular season home games is free.