WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 1, 2009 – Freshman right-hander Matt Davenport pitched a strong 8 2/3 innings and William & Mary erupted for eight runs in the third inning in posting an 8-2 victory over James Madison in a Colonial Athletic Association baseball game on Friday night at Plumeri Park.

W&M improved to 21-22 overall and 8-11 in the CAA.  JMU fell to 28-20 overall and 11-8 in the league while falling for just the second time in its last night conference games.

Davenport stymied the Dukes’ bats in the near complete game effort.  He allowed just 11 base runners on six hits, three walks, and a pair of hit batters while striking out four.  He improved to 5-1 on the season.

For JMU, sophomore Turner Phelps (Roanoke, Va./Lord Botetourt) suffered the first loss of his career thanks to one rough inning.  He fell to 7-1 on the season and 15-1 in his career after allowing eight runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings with four strikeouts.  Sophomore James Weiner (Charlottesville, Va./St. Anne’s-Belfield) pitched 2 1/3 innings of no-hit relief as the Tribe had just four hits apart from the big third inning.

The Tribe’s big hits came on three-run home runs in the third by right fielder Rob Nickle and designated hitter Brett Conner.  Shortstop Derrick Osteen had an RBI on two hits while second baseman James Williamson also had a pair of hits.

JMU’s offense came on a solo home run in the fourth by redshirt junior outfielder Matt Townsend (Lorton, Va./Hayfield), tying him for the CAA lead with 17.  The other run for the Dukes came on a bases-loaded hit batter in the ninth.

The Tribe struck first in the third inning as Conner led off with a walk and reached second on a sacrifice bunt.  Left fielder Stephen Arcure then singled to right field to drive in the run and moved to second on the throw home.  After another walk, Osteen singled through the right side for a 2-0 lead.  With the runner going on the pitch, Stampone grounded to third.  With no chance for the double play, Langston threw home to get the runner in a rundown.  Jones retreated to third and the rundown then went to first.  Jones then broke for home again and another rundown resulted in him back at third.  The Dukes finally retired Osteen at second on the play for the second out of the inning.  Nickle then homered to right center for a five-run inning.  A single to right and a bloop single to left center were followed by a three-run shot to left by Conner to finish all the offense the Tribe would need.

JMU was quiet until two outs in the top of the fourth when Townsend snuck a homer over the center field wall, his 17^th of the season.

The Dukes were held at bay until the ninth when Browning hit a two-out single and consecutive batters walked.  Langston was then hit by a pitch to drive in the second run of the game.

Game two of the series will be Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.