WILMINGTON, N.C. – James Madison baseball took an early lead, but fell in the series opener to UNCW, 5-3, at Brooks Field in Wilmington, N.C.
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Liam McDonnell started for the Dukes and went 4.1 innings with two strikeouts.
Chase DeLauter led JMU at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
JMU struck first in the second scoring three runs.
Travis Reifsnider led off with a walk and advanced to third on a fielding error that put
Carson Bell on first.
Fox Semones then followed with a bunt single that scored Reifsnider to make it 1-0.
Dom Cepullio then loaded the bases, allowing Bell to score on a double play the next batter. DeLauter would cap off the inning to give JMU a 3-0 lead on a double to center to score Semones.
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UNCW responded in the bottom of the second with their own double to cut into the lead and make it 3-1. A sacrifice fly and RBI single then tied the game to make it a 3-3 ball game. The Seahawks took the lead in the following inning after a double and back-to-back singles to take a 4-3 lead.
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The Dukes were able to put a runner 90 feet away from home plate in the sixth and seventh innings, but couldn't find the hits to drive them in. UNCW extended their lead in the eighth with a home run to make it 5-3, and that would be how the game ends.
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GAME NOTES
- The Dukes stole five bases in the game.
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UP NEXT
The Dukes take on UNCW in the middle game of the series tomorrow, May 8 at Brooks Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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