FAIRFAX, Va. – A three-run homer by junior right fielder
Adam Sisk and quality pitching powered James Madison to a 4-3 win over George Mason in an in-state baseball contest at Spuhler Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Dukes won their third straight game to improve to 22-22 on the season, while the Patriots dropped their fourth in a row to fall to 22-28.
Sisk gave JMU a 3-0 lead in the third inning with his eighth home run of the year, a bomb that nearly cleared the fence around George Mason Stadium in deep left field. Junior shortstop
Kyle McPherson had reached base on a fielder's choice before freshman left fielder
Fox Semones walked and Sisk brought them all home.
Junior center fielder
Mike Sciorra gave the Dukes an insurance run in the fourth, doubling to the gap in left center to score junior catcher
Ryan Coale, who had singled up the middle and stolen second.
Freshman right-hander
Cam Vassar started on the mound for JMU and faced the minimum through three innings, but allowed a hit and a run in the fourth. On a designated staff day, he earned the win to improve to 2-1.
Junior right-hander
Matt Colon threw one and one third scoreless innings of relief, while sophomore right-hander
Matt Marsili notched his first save of the year with two scoreless frames to close the game.
Sciorra and redshirt junior first baseman
Brett Johnson each had two hits, while Trevor Kelly led George Mason with a 2-for-4 day. Bryce Nightengale (2-4) took the loss for the Patriots after allowing four earned runs in five innings.
QUOTING COACH IKENBERRY
"I was proud of the way we pitched and played defense today.
Adam Sisk had a big at-bat that put us on the board and the
Mike Sciorra double was the difference.
Cam Vassar did a nice job in the start and our bullpen was solid."
UP NEXT
The Dukes host Hofstra for the final home Colonial Athletic Association series of the season from May 12-14. First pitch for Friday's game is set for 7 p.m.