JMU’s Strong Start Not Enough to Fend Off Maryland

NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                                                     

March 20, 2024                                                                                                                                       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                         

Jack Bain, Director of Communications                                                                                 

jbain@jmubaseball.com

From Maryland Baseball X. Eddie Hacopian celebrates after an RBI double to help Maryland to the win.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – This past Tuesday, March 19th, the James Madison Dukes continued its road trip heading north to the University of Maryland to face off against the Terrapins out of the Big Ten Conference. While JMU started strong offensively, it wasn’t enough to take down Maryland as the Terrapins ended the day with a 9-5 victory.

The Dukes got off to a hot start at the plate with a pair of first inning home runs by Mike Mancini and Mason Dunaway creating a 2-0 lead over Maryland. JMU would later tack on one additional run, but the bottom of the second was a rough inning for JMU starter T.R. Williams who surrendered four runs to give Maryland a 4-3 lead. Jason Schiavone would eventually tie the game with an RBI groundout in the fourth inning.

Despite allowing 4 runs, Maryland starting pitcher Ryan Van Buren rallied to throw for 5 innings of work allowing 4 runs on 5 hits, before he handed things off to the bullpen who allowed only one run the remainder of the afternoon. Both teams would remain gridlocked at 4-4 entering the eighth inning when Maryland changed the entire trajectory of the game with one swing of the bat. Chris Hacopian would contribute to the Maryland firepower by hitting a grand slam in the eighth ultimately putting the Dukes chances of winning to near zero.

Jason Schiavone produced the final run by virtue of a solo home run, but it wasn’t enough to take down Maryland. JMU falls to 13-8 on the season, but returns home this weekend to continue Sun Belt Conference play against Texas St at Veterans Memorial Park. Tickets are free for all fans, and all games can be viewed on ESPN+.

About JMU Baseball

James Madison Baseball is an NCAA Division I program who is a proud member of the Sun Belt Conference. JMU Baseball is apart of the JMU Athletics program which is located at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. All home games are played at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park. More information may be found at https://jmusports.com/sports/baseball

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