NEWS RELEASE
March 20, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brin Kuzemka, Director of Communications
bmkuzemka@jmubaseball.com
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – On Tuesday, March 19, the James Madison Dukes and Maryland Terrapins engaged in an exciting non-conference game at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium. JMU showed strength early in the game, Maryland made a big run in the middle of the game, and the home team won 9–5.
In the first inning, JMU took an early 2-0 lead thanks to solo home runs by Mike Mancini and Mason Dunaway. In the third, Jason Schiavone added to the Dukes’ lead with an RBI sacrifice fly. But in the bottom half, Maryland came roaring back, scoring four runs to grab a 4-3 lead. In the fourth inning, Schiavone knotted the score with an RBI groundout.
Up until Maryland’s offensive explosion in the eighth, the game was close. Chris Hacopian’s grand slam, a bunt single, and a leadoff walk all opened the scoring. In the ninth, Schiavone added a solo home run, but JMU’s late comeback was unsuccessful.
With the defeat, JMU’s record drops to 13-8, while Maryland’s record rises to 16-5 ahead of conference play. In their inaugural Sun Belt Conference series at Veterans Memorial Park against Texas State, the Dukes will aim to recover. With extra games on Saturday and Sunday, the series gets underway this Friday, March 22nd, at 4 p.m. Join us in welcoming a thrilling new era of conference play for the Dukes!
About JMU Baseball
The James Madison University men’s baseball team, based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, participates in the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference (SBC). The Dukes, under the direction of head coach Marlin Ikenberry, hold their home games at Veterans Memorial Park’s Eagle Field. Check out their official website for news, scheduling, and more: https://jmusports.com/sports/baseball
-###-