Czerwinski’s Gem on the Mound Leads Dukes to Win Over George Mason

Wednesday, April 20

Fairfax, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

20-17

George Mason

12-23

James Madison

George Mason

Czerwinski’s Gem on the Mound Leads Dukes to Win Over George Mason

4/20/2022 5:46:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. — Redshirt sophomore CJ Czerwinski tossed the best start of his career, holding George Mason to only a run as James Madison baseball took the Wednesday afternoon contest, 3-2, at Spuhler Field.

Czerwinski went a career-high six innings, only allowing one run, and striking out four. Redshirt junior Lliam Grubbs worked the ninth inning for his second save of the season. At the plate, the Dukes were led by redshirt junior Carson Bell, going 1-for-5 with a home run.

How It Happened
The Patriots got the scoring started in the second with the help of some JMU errors, with South Trimble drawing a walk and then moving to third on a throwing error when trying to steal second and scoring on a subsequent fielding error.

Czerwinski got into a groove after allowing the run, retiring 14 of the next 16 batters.

The Dukes were able to tie the game in the fifth inning, putting two on before redshirt junior Nick Zona singled into center to knot the game at one. Classmate Kyle Novak then laced a double to score another run and give the Dukes a 2-1 lead.

Redshirt junior Eli Ottinger worked two scoreless innings as Bell added an insurance run for the Dukes, hitting his seventh home run of the season in the eighth to make the score 3-1. Grubbs then came on to preserve the win in the ninth and earned the save, even with Mason adding a run on a wild pitch.

Games Notes

Nick Zona's game-tying single in the fifth was his 100th career base hit.
Kyle Novak has now tied the all-time program reached base record, getting on for his 34th consecutive game. On record, only two other Dukes have reached base in 34 straight games - Matt Townsend (2009) and Mark Brockell (1988).

Up Next
JMU continues a week full of in-state games, as they welcome William & Mary to Veterans Memorial Park for a weekend series. First pitch for the opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, April 22. The game will be streamed on FloSports.