NEWS RELEASE
April 16th, 2024
Sarah Batt-Communications Student at James Madison University
battse@dukes.jmu.edu
NORFOLK, Va. – In a hard-fought battle on Sunday afternoon, the James Madison University baseball squad suffered a setback in the series closer against Old Dominion, with a final tally of 6-3 at Bud Metheny Ballpark.
The Dukes (21-14, 7-8 Sun Belt) faced off against the Monarchs (18-17, 7-8 Sun Belt), eager to advance in the TowneBank Royal Rivalry Challenge. However, they fell short, surrendering their lead in the match.
Junior Coleman Calabrese stood as the best performer for JMU against ODU, displaying his talent at the plate with a stellar 2-for-4 outing, which included a powerful home run. On the mound, junior Casey Smith led the charge, showcasing his pitching prowess with three strikeouts over 2.2 innings.
Here’s a breakdown of how the game unfolded:
- Second Inning: JMU loaded the bases in the second inning, but Old Dominion’s pitching held firm to escape the threat unscathed.
- Third Inning: A two-run homer extended ODU’s lead to 3-0.
- Fourth Inning: Another two-run homer widened the gap to 5-0 in favor of ODU.
- Sixth Inning: Stallings extended ODU’s lead with a decisive two-run shot in the fourth inning making it 6-0
- Eighth Inning: MU rallied in the eighth inning with back-to-back home runs by Fenwick Trimble and Coleman Calabrese, showcasing their resilience and closing the gap to 6-3.
Despite the late homers, the Dukes couldn’t complete the comeback, falling short in the series finale.
Game Notes:
- JMU’s bullpen showed promise, limiting Old Dominion’s offense to six runs on five hits.
- JMU’s homers in the eighth inning were only the ninth and tenth hit this season while trailing.
- The Dukes now hold a 0-3 record in rubber matches this season.
- JMU left seven runners on base, with five in scoring position.
- The loss marks a tough setback for James Madison but serves as a valuable learning experience as they continue their Sun Belt games.
Up Next: The Dukes continue their journey away as they head to Lexington, VA to compete against VMI on Wednesday, April 17, at 6 p.m.
About JMU Baseball: James Madison University Baseball, part of Division I’s Sun Belt Conference, stands proudly at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, VA under Coach Marlin Ikenberry’s leadership.
