Dukes Ninth Inning Push Comes Up Short

Friday, March 29

Elon, N.C.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

18-9, 2-2

Elon

14-12, 3-1

James Madison

Elon

3/29/2019 9:52:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

ELON, N.C. – On Saturday night JMU baseball fell to Elon 5-4, as their come from behind bid fell just short. The Dukes scored in the eighth to cut the Elon lead to one, but stranded runners on in the ninth to end the ballgame. Kevin Kelly was pegged with the loss after going 6.0 innings, allowing seven hits and five runs.

JMU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the third thanks to three-straight two-out hits by the Dukes. Fox Semones singled to the shortstop to score DaVonn Griffin, before Michael Morgan singled through the left side to score Semones. Brady Harju would single to left center to score Michael Morgan and increase the Dukes lead to three.

The Phoenix would get one back in the fourth, before homering twice in sixth to take the lead. The Dukes would cut the lead in the eighth, but strand runners in the ninth to fall to 18-9 on the season and 2-2 in CAA play.

GAME FACTS
- Michael Morgan finished the night 3-for-5, scoring two runs and driving in a run on Friday.
- Brady Harju led the team in RBIs with two Friday night.
- Kevin Kelly and Shelton Perkins combined for seven strikeouts and only walked two batters.
- DaVonn Griffin hit his second double of the season this evening and recorded a 2-for-3 night from the plate.
- Fox Semones collected his seventh stolen base of the season, the 54^thby the Dukes this season.

SCORING SUMMARY
Top 3^rd| JMU 3 – ELON 0 | Fox Semones opened up the scoring with a single that he beat out to the shortstop. Michael Morgan would single through the left side to drive in a run, before Brady Harju singled to left center and drove in Michael Morgan.
Bottom 4^th | JMU 3 – ELON 1 | Elon scores in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Dukes lead to 3-1. The Phoenix scored on a fielder's choice grounder to third base.
Bottom 6^th | JMU 3 – ELON 5 | Elon levels the score with a two-run blast off the scoreboard in left center. Two batters later Elon takes the lead on the second two-run blast of the season.
Top 8^th | JMU 4 – ELON 5 | Brady Harju sends a sacrifice fly out to right field to cut the Elon lead to 5-4.

WHAT COACH IKE HAD TO SAY
"I really liked the way we battled tonight and never quit. The guys really put the pressure on them early and I think they handled the big sixth inning well. We were able to cut the lead in the eighth and we had an opportunity in the ninth. The ball took a favorable bounce for Elon and they were able to get an out off of a dropped fly ball. We will refocus and get some rest tonight, before coming out tomorrow ready to play."

UP NEXT
The Dukes and Phoenix will continue the weekend series with a 4 p.m. tilt on Saturday. JMU sends right-hander Nick Stewart to the mound to face off against George Kirby.