Dukes Drop Home Opener In Extra Innings

Friday, February 23

Harrisonburg, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

3-2

Albany

1-0

University at Albany

James Madison

2/23/2018 8:43:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Highlights

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison came from behind to tie the score twice on Friday evening but could not hold off Albany, as the Dukes dropped an 8-5 decision in non-conference baseball action at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Dukes (3-2) fell behind in the second inning as the Great Danes (1-0) plated two runs off a sacrifice fly to center field and a double that drove in a run. In the third, freshman Conor Hartigan hit a single up the middle to bring home senior Adam Sisk. Sophomore Harry Brown tied the score at two in the third off of a solo home run, his third of the season, over the left field wall.

Senior Bradley McKay scored off a sacrifice bunt from freshman Michael Morgan, to take a 3-2 lead after the fourth inning.

Albany would tie the game in the fifth then take the lead in the eighth inning as two runs scored off an error to give the Great Danes the 5-3 advantage.

In the bottom of the ninth, sophomore Matt Dipasupil entered the game with the bases loaded with one out and was hit by the pitch to drive in a run before senior Mike Sciorra hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Sisk from third to send the game into extras tied at five.

The Great Danes proceeded to score three runs in the top of the eleventh off an error and a two-run home run by Connor Powers to secure the victory. Matt Codispoti went 4-for-5 on the night with one run and a RBI.

Sisk and Brown turned in multi-hit nights as Sisk went 3-for-5 with two runs and a walk while Brown went 2-for-4 with a run and a RBI. On the mound, senior Colton Harlow received the start and delivered a season-high 6.1 innings alongside five strikeouts, giving up three runs on four hits. Freshman Nick Robertson (0-1) was marked with the loss on the night.

QUOTING COACH IKE
"Harlow did a great job getting us deep in the game. We had opportunities early in the game to blow it open but we didn't get the big hit. We didn't play defense when we needed to and Albany got some big hits when they needed to, and that was the difference in this ballgame."

UP NEXT
The Dukes will play game two of the home-opening weekend series against Albany on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.