Harju's Solo Home Run Sends Dukes Over Tigers

Saturday, May 4

Harrisonburg, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

27-19, 8-9

Towson

12-33, 6-11

Towson

James Madison

5/4/2019 5:46:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison baseball (27-19, 8-9 CAA) defeated the Towson Tigers (12-33, 6-11 CAA) 1-0 on Saturday to take the series over the Tigers. Nick Stewart was pegged with a no decision, after pitching 5.0 innings, scattering five hits and striking out three batters. Shelton Perkins came on in relief in the sixth, pitching 4.0 innings, allowing no hits and struck out six batters.

The Dukes and Tigers traded clean innings through the sixth, before Brady Harju changed everything with one swing of the bat. In the bottom of the seventh, Harju found his pitch and took a ball to opposite field off the scoreboard to give the Dukes a 1-0 lead. Perkins would come back on in the eighth and ninth to close out the game to give the Dukes the series win. Perkins improves to 3-1 on the season and the Dukes were able to strand eight Towson base runners.

GAME FACTS
- The 1-0 shutout is the third of the season for the Dukes, Shutting out Cal State Fullerton twice on the road before this afternoon.
- Shelton Perkins improves to 3-1 on the season and recorded six strikeouts on the day. Perkins now has accumulated 62 strikeouts on the season.
- Brady Harju now leads the team in home runs with seven, after his game winning blast in the bottom of the seventh.

SCORING SUMMARY
Bottom 7^th | JMU 1 – TOWSON 0 | Brady Harju breaks the scoreless tie in the seventh with a solo home run to right field.

WHAT COACH IKE HAD TO SAY
"Today was a great battle on the mound. Stewart scattered some hits, but when he needed to be laser sharp he was and pitched well through five. Perkins was great out the pen and stranded a couple of runners in scoring position, but was able to not allow a hit through his four innings. Brady put a really good swing on the ball he hit to right."

UP NEXT
JMU will look to complete the sweep Sunday afternoon, as they take on the Towson Tigers in game three of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Veterans Memorial Park.