Late Inning Runs Push UNCW Pass Dukes in Series Finale

Sunday, May 9

Wilmington, N.C.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

9-14, 4-8

UNCW

26-16, 10-8

James Madison

UNCW

5/9/2021 4:21:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. – James Madison (9-14, 4-8 CAA) and UNCW (26-16, 10-8 CAA) were interlocked in a pitching duel, but three runs in the eighth pushed the Seahawks pass the Dukes, 5-1, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Brooks Field.

Justin Showalter started on the mound for the Dukes, going seven plus innings, while striking out four and allowing two earned runs. Conor Hartigan led the Dukes at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, a home run, and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Seahawks opened up the scoring in the second inning when they put two runners on by a walk and an error. A single up the middle the next at bat ended the inning when Chase DeLauter threw out the runner advancing to third, but not before the lead runner crossed home plate to give the Seahawks a 1-0 lead. Hartigan answered back moments later in the top of the third when he took a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence to tie the game at 1-1.

The two teams would go scoreless in the fourth and the fifth before UNCW would retake the lead in the sixth on a bases loaded single to make it 2-1. Going into the eighth, both teams' pitching staffs had kept the game within reach, as JMU had one run on seven hits and UNCW had two runs on three hits.

The Seahawks found a late push in the eighth; however, extending their lead by beginning the inning with a double, a single, and then a two-run double to make it 4-1. Two flyouts put two outs on the board, but UNCW pushed the lead to 5-1 on an RBI single the next at bat and would hold on to take the final game.

GAME NOTES

Hartigan and DeLauter both extended their hit streaks to 12 and 11 games, respectively.
DeLauter has reached base in 19 consecutive games.

UP NEXT
The Dukes return home on May 15-16 to take on William & Mary. It will begin with a doubleheader on May 15 at 1 p.m. which will be JMU's Vs. Cancer game. The next day will be a single game at 1 p.m. as well where JMU will honor 11 seniors as part of the Senior Day festivities.