Flames Fall at James Madison

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
LIBERTY	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	8	2
James Madison	1	0	0	4	1	0	3	4	X	13	18	0

LIBERTY

James Madison

The James Madison Dukes broke open a 1-1 tie with four runs in the fourth inning and never looked back, downing the Liberty Flames, 13-2, Tuesday at Long Field/Mauck Stadium.

Liberty falls to 10-5 overall on the year, while James Madison moves to 12-7. It was the last game played between the Commonwealth rivals at Long Field/Mauck Stadium. The Dukes move into a new stadium next season.

Host James Madison jumped on the scoreboard in the contest's opening inning. Leadoff hitter Matt Townsend walked to begin the bottom half of the first frame and stole second base. Shortstop David Hrbek followed with a single, putting Dukes runners on the corners. Townsend then plated the game's first run, executing a double steal with Hrbek for a 1-0 advantage.

Liberty knotted the contest at 1-1 in the top of the third inning. With two outs, shortstop Matt Williams (Fr., Franklin, Tenn.) collected the Flames' first hit of the game, a single through the right side of the infield. Catcher Errol Hollinger (Sr., Upland, Calif.) made it back-to-back singles with a liner up the middle. Reigning Big South Player of the Week and center fielder Curran Redal (Jr., Moses Lake, Wash.) then dropped a single in front of James Madison center fielder Townsend, scoring Williams with the Flames' first run of the contest.

The Dukes plated four runs in the fourth frame, taking the contest's lead for good. Designated hitter McKinnon Langston singled to open the inning, and scored on a triple off the left field fence by catcher Jake Lowery. The next batter, right fielder Bryan Lescanec, greeted Liberty reliever Chris McDougal (Fr., Poquoson, Va.) with a single through the infield's right side, plating Lowery for a 3-1 advantage. Two batters later, third baseman Kent Burford lined a double off the left field wall, chasing home left fielder Matt Browning, who had been intentionally walked earlier. Later in the frame, Townsend lined a RBI double off the left field wall, pushing the host's edge to 5-1.

James Madison stretched its lead in its next at bat. With one out, Langston singled and scored on a double by Lowery, extending the Dukes' advantage to 6-1.

The Flames threatened in the top of the sixth inning. First baseman Doug Bream (So., Elizabethtown, Pa.) and left fielder Jeff Jefferson (So., Danville, Pa.) began the frame with back-to-back singles. After the next two Liberty batters each flew out, designated hitter Cody Brown (Sr., Cumming, Ga.) drew a base on balls to load the bases with two out. However, James Madison starter Evan Scott got out of the jam, inducing the next batter to fly out, ending the frame.

In the bottom of the frame, James Madison added to its advantage on a bases-clearing double by Lescanec.

Liberty plated a run in the top of the eighth inning. Jefferson scored on a double play ground out to make it, 9-2, Dukes.

James Madison tallied four more runs in the bottom of the frame for the final score of 13-2.

Liberty starter Tyler Light (Sr., RHP, San Bernardino, Calif.) takes the loss, evening his season mark at 1-1. The right-hander, the first of four pitchers to take the hill for the Flames in the contest, yielded four runs on five hits in three innings of work.

Scott picks up the win for James Madison, running his record to 2-2 on the year. The right hander allowed one run, while scattering six hits over the game's first six innings. Right hander Josh Futter pitched the last three frames to record his first collegiate save.

Williams had two hits for Liberty in the contest. Lowery, Lescanec and Burford each had three hits for the Dukes.

The Flames return home tomorrow afternoon to host the Fordham Rams. First pitch at Worthington Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Schedule

Next Event

Team Stats

Williams Matt

Hollinger Errol

Redal Curran

Bream Doug