Dukes Back in Win Column with Midweek Victory Over Virginia Tech

Tuesday, March 15

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

9-8

Virginia Tech

10-5

Virginia Tech

James Madison

Dukes Back in Win Column with Midweek Victory Over Virginia Tech

3/15/2022 7:58:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Behind outstanding pitching and timely hitting, James Madison baseball snapped a four-game losing streak as they defeated Virginia Tech, 5-2, on Tuesday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Dukes improve to 9-8 while the Hokies fall to 10-5. JMU snaps a three-game losing streak in the series, as the teams met for the first time since 2014. It is also the first home win for the Dukes against their in-state foe since 2007, with the 5-2 win being the fourth matchup since then.

Sophomore Ryan Murphy had a career day, starting and picking up his first career win behinds career-highs of six innings and six strikeouts. Redshirt junior Kyle Novak led the Dukes at the plate, going 1-for-1 with a walk, a home run, and three RBI's.

How It Happened
The Dukes got out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning without recording a hit. Redshirt sophomore Chase DeLauter drew a four-pitch walk before stealing second, advancing to third on a fielder's choice, and then coming home to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Novak. Two innings later with a runner on, Novak would belt his third home run of the season to give the Dukes a 3-0 lead after three.

Meanwhile, after allowing the first batter of the game to reach on an error, Murphy settled down and retired the next 10 batters in a row. The JMU offense continued to give him support, as they scored again in the fourth after redshirt junior Nick Zona drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and then advanced to third and scored on two separate wild pitches.

The Hokies were able to get runs on the board in the fifth and the sixth on an RBI single and a home run to make it 4-2, but JMU picked up a run on a bases loaded hit by pitch in the sixth inning to give them a 5-2 lead.

Eli Ottinger came in to throw three scoreless innings of relief and picked up his first save of the season.

Game Notes

Kyle Novak recorded his eighth multi-RBI game of the season, and second three-RBI game.
JMU has yet to give up more than seven hits in a home game this season.
Eli Ottinger tossed a season-high four strikeouts, one shy of his career-high.

Up Next
The Dukes go back on the road for a three-game weekend series at Winthrop, beginning Friday, March 18. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.