Solid Pitching Completes Sweep for the Dukes

Saturday, February 16

Harrisonburg, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

3-0

Norfolk State

0-3

Norfolk State

James Madison

2/16/2019 8:33:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Joe Williams picks up his first victory in over two years defeating Norfolk State 6-5

HARRISONBURG, VA. – On Saturday afternoon the JMU baseball team completed the sweep of Norfolk State, holding off the Spartans in the ninth to capture the 6-5 victory. The Dukes were led by freshman Trevon Dabney who finished the day 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Brady Harju added to the fun and had his second consecutive multi-double game for the Dukes. Joe Williams earned his first victory with JMU and returned to the mound for the first time in over two years. Williams left after the fifth posting 5.0 innings, 3 hits and 4 strikeouts.

GAME FACTS
- Joe Williams pitched for the first time in over 2 years and earned a victory on Sunday.
- The sweep of Norfolk State was the first since February 18^th, 2018 when the Dukes completed the sweep against High Point.
- JMU struck out 42 batters this weekend combined in the three games. That total is the most since the 2006 series against William & Mary when the Dukes struck out 43 batters.
- Trevon Dabney continued his hot streak at the plate, increasing his hit streak to three games and leads the team with a .545 average.

SCORING SUMMARY
Bottom 1^st| JMU 3 – NSU 0 | Brady Harju doubled down the line to plate Michael Morgan and give the Dukes the lead. Trevon Dabney would add to the lead plating Harju with a double of his own. Nick Zona would single and score Dabney to give the Dukes a 3-0 lead in the first.
Top 7^th| JMU 3 – NSU 1 | Norfolk State singles through the left side to cut the JMU lead to two.
Bottom 7^th| JMU 6 – NSU 1 | The Dukes tacked on another three runs in the bottom half of the frame including what proved to be the game winning run in Trevon Dabney's tag from third.
Top 9^th| JMU 6 – NSU 5 |Norfolk State put the pressure on the dukes in the ninth scoring four runs to cut the lead to one.

WHAT COACH IKE HAD TO SAY
"I thought the guys battled hard today and it is always difficult to sweep teams in college baseball. I am proud of the way guys handled today and this whole weekend with things being moved around. Tre played exceptionally well and I can't wait to see him continue to grow this season. I was really happy for Joe today. He came out and was trying to find his rhythm early after not pitching for two years. I applauded our offense after the tough start to the first inning getting him those three runs so that he was able to go out there and be himself."

UP NEXT
JMU baseball will wrap up their four-game home stand with a meeting against Longwood on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.