Dukes Outlasted by Northeastern in Pitching Duel

Sunday, April 17

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

19-16, 6-6

Northeastern

18-17-1, 4-8

Northeastern

James Madison

4/17/2022 4:31:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison baseball and Northeastern were engulfed in a pitching duel through the first seven innings, but NU was able to outlast the Dukes, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Dukes move to 19-16, 6-6 while the Huskies are now 18-17-1, 4-8.

Sophomore Ryan Murphy tossed a career-high seven innings, only allowing a run and two hits while striking out two. Redshirt junior Trevon Dabney led the Dukes at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.

How It Happened
Neither team could muster any offense through the first six innings of the game. Murphy gave up a double to begin the game and then settled into a groove. He only allowed two runners to reach third base, one in the first inning and one in the third, and sent down 10 in a row between the third and sixth innings. He stretched the streak to 12 in a row in the seventh before giving up a solo home run, his second hit of the game, for a 1-0 NU lead.

In the other dugout, the Huskies' Cam Schlittler scattered three hits across the first six innings to keep the Dukes off the board as well. He sent down a career-high 12 batters down on strikes, before allowing a run in the seventh as well. After back-to-back strikeouts to start the inning, redshirt junior Nick Zona doubled down the right field line. Dabney followed Zona with a triple to right center past a diving Mike Cirota to even the game at one.

Northeastern however managed to score three runs in the eighth on a two-run homer and a bases loaded walk to retake the lead, 4-1. Eric Yost earned the win and Thomas Balboni picked up his sixth save of the season.

Game Notes

Ryan Murphy pitched into the seventh inning for the first time in his career.
Trevon Dabney was hit by a pitch for the 21^st time this season. He is five away from tying the single-season record and six away from tying the JMU career record, as he now sits with 49 career hit by pitches.
With a walk to lead off the sixth inning, Kyle Novak pushed his reached base streak to 32 games.

Up Next
The Dukes have a pair of midweek contests against in-state foes on tap. They will host Richmond on Tuesday, April 19 at 4 p.m. before traveling to George Mason on Wednesday, April 20 for a 3 p.m. first pitch.