GREENVILLE, S.C. (JMU Athletics) – Senior Jack Guerrero set a new career high in hits and connected on his first career homer to push James Madison baseball past UAlbany, 6-3, on Saturday afternoon at Fluor Field.
The Dukes improved to 4-5, while the Great Danes dropped to 0-5.
Guerrero led the way at the plate for JMU, going 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. Freshman Luke Alexander (2-0) earned the win with 3.2 innings of relief, recording a strikeout, while redshirt sophomore Holden McKinney earned his first career save with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts.
How It Happened
Fourth Inning
JMU broke the scoreless tie with a four-run inning, with Guerrero getting the scoring started on a single through the right side of the infield to bring home junior Ike Schmidly. Freshman Cameron Aycock and senior Wyatt Campbell both knocked in runs on singles, with a squeeze bunt from junior Ben Barrow sandwiched between for three straight scoring plays.
Fifth Inning
On a 1-0 pitch, Guerrero hammered his first career home run over the right center wall to make the score 5-0.
Sixth Inning
UAlbany struck for the first time with two in the sixth, using a single and a triple to drive in runs.
Seventh Inning
A single down the right field line drove in a run for UAlbany, making the score 5-3.
In the home half of the inning, sophomore Reece Moody laced a single up the middle to plate Schmidly and make it 6-3 for the Dukes.
Game Notes
• The Dukes were exceptional when they had a base runner, hitting .455 (5-for-11) with runners on and .500 (4-for-8) with runners in scoring position.
• JMU had five two-out base hits.
• Senior Max Kuhle started on the mound for JMU and tossed three perfect innings with four strikeouts.
Up Next
The Dukes conclude the First Pitch Invitational with a 2 p.m. game against Michigan State tomorrow, March 1.
— JMU Athletics —
