Boston College struck for eight runs in the first four innings and repeatedly silenced any rally attempt by James Madison with five double plays while recording an 8-5 triumph in the second game of the Caravelle Resort Tournament on Saturday morning at Coastal Carolina’s Watson Stadium.
JMU fell to 0-2 to start the season while BC improved to 2-0 after winning the first meeting ever between the programs.
The Eagles took advantage of free bases early as five walks, a wild pitch, a balk and an error factored largely in BC scoring two in the first and four in the second to grab a 6-0 lead.
Boston College added single runs in the third and fourth to make it an 8-0 advantage. JMU rallied back with three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh, but double plays in both innings prevented even larger rallies. The Eagles ended the game with their fifth double play of the game in the ninth, stranding a lead-off single.
Matt Alvarez claimed the win for BC, allowing just one hit in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs, one earned, and walked six. John Gorman picked up the save with shutout innings of relief.
Shortstop Anthony Melchionda and catcher Matt Pare each had a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs for Boston College. Designated hitter Matt McGovern, center fielder Tom Bourdon and first baseman Rob Moir also had two hits in BC’s 12-hit attack.
Senior right-hander Evan Scott (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) started but lasted just one inning after issuing five walks. Freshman left-hander Aaron Hoover (Centreville, Va./Westfield) worked seven innings of relief in his JMU debut, allowing four runs, three earned, and 10 hits with five strikeouts. After a shaky start, Hoover retired eight of the last nine batters he faced.
Junior designated hitter Cole McInturff (Centreville, Va./Westfield) and second baseman Casey Goss (Springfield, Mo./Glendale) each had two of JMU’s six hits. Junior catcher Bradley Shaban (Midlothian, Va./Cosby) had two RBIs with a single and two walks.
Boston College scored in each of the first four innings to stake itself to an 8-0 lead before JMU recorded a hit. The Eagles plated two in the first and four in the second, largely thanks to free bases and defensive miscues from the Dukes.
A pair of walks sandwiched around an infield single loaded the bases in the first for BC with one out. A wild pitch by Scott plated the first run of the game. After the third walk of the inning reloaded the bases, a sacrifice fly by right fielder Marc Perdios made it 2-0. The Eagles threatened for more but junior right fielder Johnny Bladel (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) retired the final out at the plate on a single to end the inning.
Scott walked the first two batters faced in the second to end his day early. After a balk, McGovern singled to right center to make it 3-0. Melchionda added a two-run double and Pare completed the four-run inning with an infield single to make it 6-0.
BC added a run in the third as Moir led off with a triple to the corner in right and scored on third baseman John Hennessy’s single to right. Back-to-back doubles from left fielder Andrew Lawrence and Pare added a run in the fourth to make it 8-0.
JMU finally broke through in the sixth as freshman shortstop Chad Carroll (Oakton, Va./Oakton) led off by reaching second on an error. A bunt single, the first Madison hit of the day, advanced him to third, and he scored on a double play groundout. However, the Dukes kept the attack going as Bladel walked and sophomore first baseman Ty McFarland (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) struck out but reached on a wild pitch. Another walk loaded the bases and Shaban singled to drive in two runs and make it 8-3.
The Dukes added two more in the seventh, though another double play prevented what could have been further damage. A McInturff single and junior left fielder Colby Roberts (Benton, Ark./Benton) walk put two on with two outs. Bladel then reached on an infield single to third base with the throw getting away to allow both runners to score and cut the lead to 8-5.
JMU will make it a split doubleheader by facing in-state rival Virginia at approximately 6:40 p.m. at BB&T Coastal Field in Myrtle Beach. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday but was moved ahead one day due to forecasted weather.
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