Dukes Fall in Series Opener on Walkoff Hit

Friday, March 10

Spartanburg, S.C.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

8-6

USC Upstate

8-7

James Madison

USC Upstate

3/10/2023 8:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – James Madison led by two runs heading into the bottom of the ninth, but USC Upstate scored three runs in the inning and won the game, 6-5, on a walkoff single on Friday afternoon at Haley Park in non-conference baseball.

The Dukes fall to 8-6 while the Spartans improve to 8-7.

Sophomore Todd Mozoki started for JMU and went five innings, striking out a pair while only allowing one hit and one run. Redshirt senior Kyle Novak led the team at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Al Holguin earned the win for Upstate behind three innings of relief.

How It Happened
First Inning
The Dukes struck first with graduate Jack Cone leading off by getting on with an error and then moving to third two batters later on a failed pickoff attempt. Novak then singled to right field to drive in Cone and make it 1-0.

Second Inning
After redshirt junior Jacob Steinberg and graduate Jaylon Lee led off with a double and a single, respectively, Lee stole second to put runners in scoring position. Two batters later, freshman Mike Mancini hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Steinberg to score. Sophomore Jason Schiavone followed Mancini by doubling off the wall to score the second baseman and make it 3-0.

Third Inning
Upstate manufactured a run back to make it 3-1 after a pair of hit by pitches led the inning off and were moved over after utilizing a sacrifice fly. Cole Caruso then flew out to center, scoring Noah Rabon.

Fourth Inning
The lead was pushed back to three runs by JMU after loading the bases on a pair of walks sandwiched between a single. Cone then reached on an error which allowed Steinberg to score before sophomore Coleman Calabrese was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Fifth Inning
Redshirt senior Trevon Dabney homered for the second time this season, taking the first pitch he saw over the left center field wall for a solo shot and a 5-1 lead.

Seventh Inning
The game became a two-run ball game after Upstate scored twice in the seventh. The Spartans were able to put runners on first and second with one down, before Easton Cullison singled in Daniel Gernon. Rabon then scored to make it 5-3 on a passed ball the next at bat.

Ninth Inning
Upstate led off the ninth down two with a walk and a double to put runners in scoring position with no outs. Troy Hamilton then drove a single into right field to score both runners and tie the game at five. Hamilton then moved to second on a balk, stole third and then scored the winning run on a Johnny Sweeney single.

Up Next
Due to impending inclement weather in the area, the two teams have moved Sunday's game up to be played as a doubleheader on Saturday, March 11. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.