JMU Wins Fourth Consecutive Season Opener

Friday, February 16

High Point, N.C.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

1-0

High Point

0-1

James Madison

High Point

2/16/2018 11:56:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score @JMUBaseball JMU Baseball on Instagram Box Score

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Freshmen Michael Morgan and Josh Jones accounted for all of the scoring efforts against High Point as James Madison defeated the Panthers, 3-1 in non-conference baseball action at George S. Earth Field on Friday night.

Morgan hit an RBI-double in his first career at-bat that drove home fellow freshman Conor Hartigan from third in the second inning. Jones hit a deep sacrifice fly to center field that allowed senior Zach Tondi to cross home plate from third, to push the Dukes (1-0) ahead, 2-0 in the second inning.

In the top of the eighth, Jones drew a one-out walk and then saw himself on third after senior Mike Sciorra hit a single into center field. Jones would then proceed to score the Dukes' third and final run off a wild pitch. The Panthers (0-1) scored their sole run off a RBI-single in the ninth from senior Hunter Lee.

ON THE MOUND
Senior Colton Harlow started for the Dukes and threw 5.2 innings, tallying six strikeouts with only one walk, earning the win (1-0). Harlow saw himself in a tight situation in the fourth, as the Panthers loaded the bases with no outs off two JMU errors. Harlow got out of the jam off a double play and a ground ball to third base.

COMING UP CLUTCH
Sophomore Kevin Kelly entered the game in the seventh with the bases load and only one out. Kelly would strike out the first batter, then he would find himself in a 3-2 count with two outs before blowing a fastball by the batter for his second consecutive strikeout. Kelly earned the save (1) on the night after tossing 2.2 innings, striking out five batters.

B7 | Kevin Kelly strikes out back-to-back batters to get out of the jam!

After seven, Dukes lead 2-0. pic.twitter.com/qXzjJdJlKz
— JMU Baseball (@JMUBaseball) February 17, 2018

DUCKS ON THE POND
On the night, JMU left only two runners on base while High Point left the bases loaded twice, leading to a total of 11 runners left on base.

QUOTING COACH IKE
"I was proud of the way our guys competed tonight after sitting through a three-hour rain delay. It was a crazy game. Colton Harlow did an amazing job and Kevin Kelly was lights out of the bullpen. Michael Morgan hit a big double in his first-ever at-bat that allowed us to gain the early lead. It's good to get the first win under our belt in those adverse conditions."

UP NEXT
The Dukes will play a doubleheader against High Point on Sunday, with the first game beginning at noon.