Dukes Split Twin Bill With Hofstra

Friday, May 11

Hempstead, N.Y.

Noon

James Madison University

21-26, 6-13

Hofstra

23-19, 12-10

James Madison

Hofstra

5/11/2018 7:29:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 @JMUBaseball

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Sophomore Fox Semones hit a RBI-single in the ninth inning of game two against Hofstra to split the doubleheader with a 3-2 win after dropping a 4-1 decision in game one in Colonial Athletic Association baseball action at University Field on Friday afternoon.

The Dukes sit at 22-26 overall and 7-13 in the CAA while the Pride has a 23-20 overall record and is 12-11 in conference play following the doubleheader.

GAME ONE
James Madison couldn't find a groove in game one, as it was only able to muster three hits in the 4-1 defeat. Sophomore DaVonn Griffin tallied the lone extra-base hit in the game with a triple in the third inning, setting up freshman Michael Morgan to drive him home with a sacrifice bunt.

Senior Colton Harlow was dealt with the loss on the mound, moving to 3-5 on the season. Harlow threw 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. Sophomore Brett Ayer came in relief and calmed Hofstra's bats, dealing 3 1/3 innings only allowing one hit and racking up five strikeouts in 10 batters faced.

The Pride's junior John Rooney threw eight innings, scattering three hits with giving up one run to improve to 8-1 on the season.

GAME TWO
The Dukes turned in 10 hits en route to a 3-2 hard fought victory in game two to even the weekend series at one apiece.

Semones led JMU at the plate with a 3-for-5 outing, his second three-hit game of the season, adding two RBIs to his stat line. Griffin went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and two runs scored while Morgan also turned in a two-hit performance with a RBI.

Sophomore Kevin Kelly started for the Dukes on the mound and tossed a career-high 12 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings in the no decision. Sophomore Shelton Perkins earned his fourth win of the season (4-1) after delivering 1 2/3 innings of work with two strikeouts and not giving up a hit.

Semones hit his first RBI-single of the game in the third to even the game at one apiece. In the seventh inning Morgan doubled to right field which allowed senior Bradley McKay to score from second and give the Dukes a 2-1 lead.

The Pride evened the score at two in the eighth with a sacrifice fly to right field. In the top half of the ninth, Griffin hit a triple off the right field wall and with two outs Semones hit a RBI-single up the middle to give the Dukes the 3-2 win.

QUOTING COACH IKE
"In game one we just got beat by one of the best pitchers in the league and we couldn't do anything against him. Game two I was proud of the way our guys came back and fought hard. Griffin had a big triple in the ninth and Semones did a great job of two-out hitting to bring home Griffin. The biggest part of game two was Kelly, he was electric in striking out 12 in 7 1/3 innings then Perkins came in and shut the door. Overall, I was proud of how the team competed all day long."

UP NEXT
James Madison will play the rubber match against Hofstra on Saturday at 1 p.m. at University Field.