HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison baseball scored all six runs in the first three innings to push past Old Dominion, 6-4, on Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Park for its fifth straight win.
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The Dukes improved to 29-20 and 14-10 in Sun Belt Conference play, the most league wins for the program since 2011. The Monarchs dropped to 30-20, 13-13 SBC. The win clinched a series victory at home for JMU for the first time in the all-time series since 2003.
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Junior
Ryan Murphy (5-3) earned the win behind 5.1 innings of work with six strikeouts. Classmate
Joe Vogatsky picked up save number three this season with a scoreless ninth inning. At the plate, freshman
Mike Mancini led by going 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI's.
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How It Happened
First Inning
After a leadoff four-pitch walk to graduate
Jack Cone and a single by sophomore
Fenwick Trimble, Mancini sent a full count pitch to the scoreboard to put the Dukes out front 3-0.
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Second Inning
With runners on first and second base, redshirt junior
Mason Dunaway was able to beat a throw to first to break up the double play. An errant throw from the second baseman trying to turn two allowed sophomore
Ryan Dooley to touch the plate for a 4-0 score.
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Third Inning
A sacrifice fly from redshirt senior
Kyle Novak followed by a fielder's choice off the bat of freshman
Jack Cannizzaro plated a run each for the Dukes for a 6-0 lead.
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Sixth Inning
ODU got on the board after loading the bases and then scoring on a passed ball before a sacrifice fly to make it 6-2.
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Eighth Inning
A towering two-run homer from Kyle Edwards cut the deficit for ODU to two at 6-4.
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Game Notes
- ODU stranded 11 batters on base.
- The Dukes are now 10-2 against Virginia opponents.
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Up Next
The Dukes go for the sweep of the Monarchs on Sunday, May 14 at Veterans Memorial Park. The game is slated for 1 p.m. with senior day festivities occurring prior to the game.
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