Walk-Off Hit by Pitch Lifts Dukes Over VMI

Tuesday, February 26

Harrisonburg, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

7-1

VMI

2-7

Virginia Military

James Madison

2/26/2019 8:01:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Dukes come from behind to defeat the Keydets 5-4 in walk-off fashion

HARRISONBURG, VA. – On a brisk Tuesday night, the JMU baseball team improved to 7-1 on the season defeating the VMI Keydets 5-4 on a walk-off hit-by-pitch. The Dukes trailed 3-0 until the fourth inning, when Conor Hartigan homered to left center to cut the lead to 3-1. Brady Harju would match Hartigan two innings later, blasting a two-run home run over the right center fence to tie the ballgame. VMI would regain the lead in the ninth when a passed ball allowed a runner to score and gave the Keydets a 4-3 lead. JMU batters were able to work the pitch counts in the ninth and loaded the bases for pinch hitting Carson Bell. Bell was hit by a pitch allowing the tying run to score, before Michael Morgan was hit by a pitch and the Dukes earned a 5-4 victory.

James Madison will now head west to Louisville, Kentucky to take on the No. 8 Louisville Cardinal. Game one is set for a 4:00 p.m. first pitch from the Bluegrass State.

GAME FACTS
- The six combined strikeouts for the Dukes against VMI is the lowest single game total this season.
- Nick Robertson picked up his first victory of the season pitching a third of an inning and striking out one.
- Conor Hartigan and Brady Harju homered for the Dukes, making it the first multi-homerun game this season.
- The Dukes used five pitchers this afternoon to earn the 5-4 victory at home.
- Tuesday was the first walk for the Dukes this season.

SCORING SUMMARY
Top 1^st| JMU 0 – VMI 2 | VMI scored two in the top of the first inning on a single through the right side.
Top 3^rd| JMU 0 – VMI 3 | VMI extended their lead to 3-0 when Nathan Loyd homered out to right.
Bottom 4^th| JMU 1 – VMI 3 |The Dukes got on the board in the fourth when Conor Hartigan homered to left center field.
Bottom 6^th| JMU 3 – VMI 3 | Brady Harju tied the ballgame in the bottom of the sixth, homering to right center and scored Conor Hartigan.
Top 9^th| JMU 3 – VMI 4 | The Keydets took the lead in the ninth when Jake Huggins struck out swinging and a passed ball allowed the runner to score.
Bottom 9^th| JMU 5 – VMI 4 | Carson Bell checked into the ballgame in the ninth as a pinch hitter and was hit by a pitch, allowing Tre Dabney to score. The very next batter Michael Morgan is hit by a pitch and the Dukes defeated the VMI Keydets.

WHAT COACH IKE HAD TO SAY
"I am really proud of the way the guys handled being down early. They never gave up and I am proud of our pitching staff once again for coming in and throwing zeros. I applaud the discipline of our hitters in the ninth to be able to get on base with no outs and force VMI to make a move. Brady and Conor both had great days at the plate and I think they really helped us big time. We now shift our focus to the first road trip of the year."

UP NEXT
The Dukes will travel to Louisville, Kentucky this weekend to take on the No. 8 Louisville Cardinal. First pitch on Friday is set for 4:00 p.m.