James Madison hits the road this weekend to visit the Panthers of Georgia State in a three-game series in Colonial Athletic Association play. The series begins with a 6 p.m. start on Friday followed by 1 p.m. starts on Saturday and Sunday at the GSU Baseball Complex in Panthersville, Ga.
JMU currently has a record of 5-15-1 overall and 0-6 in the Colonial Athletic Association this season following Tuesday's loss to Radford at home. Madison has lost its last 10 games dating back to a March 6 setback against Virginia. The Dukes are also 0-5 on the road to date.
The Dukes fell by a score of 8-3 versus the Highlanders on Tuesday. Freshman left-hander Aaron Hoover gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings pitched in the start. Fellow freshman Chris Huffman worked 3 2/3 innings in relief and allowed just two hits with two of the three runs against him being unearned. Junior second baseman Casey Goss recorded two of JMU's five hits on the night including a RBI.
During the current 10-game skid, JMU is being led offensively by junior outfielder Colby Roberts, who has improved since being moved to the lead-off spot. Roberts is hitting .297 with a double, two triples and has scored seven runs during the last 10 games. Junior outfielder Cole McInturff has hit .276 with five RBIs and two stolen bases during the skid. On the mound, six of the top eight ERAs in the last 10 games have come from freshmen, who also combined to pitch 60 percent of JMU's innings pitched over that span.
Georgia State is coming off a non-conference matchup against Alabama State on Tuesday, falling 14-9. Junior infielder Greg Bowder had three hits in the game and now is 10-for-16 with six RBIs since getting his first hit in last Friday's game, a night in which the Panthers rallied from nine runs down with two outs in bottom of the ninth to win 13-12. Georgia State is 9-13 on the season and 2-1 in the CAA.
The Panthers are being led this season by freshman outfielder Kody Adams who leads the team with 15 RBIs. He also bolsters a .272 batting average with five doubles, two triples and two home runs. All-CAA designated hitter Drew Shields has become hot as of late by accumulating seven hits in the last three games.
SERIES HISTORY
JMU leads the all-time series versus Georgia State 16-4. The last meeting between the teams was May 26, 2011 in which the Dukes won 4-0. In that game, senior pitcher Sean Tierney pitched a nine-inning complete game shutout for the win in the CAA tournament opener.
STARTING PITCHERS
GAME 1
JMU - Evan Scott, Sr., RHP (0-3, 6.75 ERA)
Scott has had two starts in the past ten games in which he has thrown a total of seven innings while giving up five earned runs. Scott is still looking for his first win of the season.
Georgia State - Justin Malone, Sr., RHP (0-1, 7.71 ERA)
Malone has made three starts this year and pitched a total of 16 1/3 innings while allowing 14 earned runs. He also has two saves this season in two opportunities.
GAME 2
JMU - Patrick Toohers, Fr., RHP (0-0, 3.66 ERA)
Toohers has made two starts during the Dukes 10-game losing streak but has compiled a 3.72 ERA in 9 2/3 innings pitched. In his last start against William and Mary, he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before exiting with one hit allowed in six full innings. He has 11 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched on the season.
Georgia State - Ben Marshall, Sr., RHP (1-2, 3.86 ERA)
Marshall has five starts this season while pitching 30 1/3 innings with 21 strikeouts. He has also pitched one complete game this season.
GAME 3
JMU - Sean Tierney, r-Sr., LHP (2-3, 6.00 ERA)
Tierney leads the Dukes in innings pitched (27) but has given up 18 earned runs on the year. In his last two starts, he allowed 13 earned runs in 9 2/3 innings pitched.
Georgia State - Max Schmitz, Fr., RHP (2-2, 3.38 ERA)
Schmitz has four starts on the season while pitching 24 innings in his rookie campaign. In his last appearance versus Alabama State, he threw 1 1/3 innings of relief and gave up two runs on one hit.
