Sophomore left fielder Ky Parrott went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and two runs, but the James Madison baseball team could not climb out of an early hole on Sunday afternoon, dropping a 9-5 decision to Delaware in Colonial Athletic Association action at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park.
The Dukes tallied five of their 13 hits in the ninth inning, scoring three runs, but could not complete the comeback as they fell to 12-17 (2-7 CAA) on the season. Delaware matched JMU’s 13 hits, but took advantage of nine walks to improve to 11-12 (3-6 CAA) and avoid the series sweep after the Dukes took each of the first two matchups.
Parrott’s afternoon paced a quartet of Dukes with multiple hits. Sophomore first baseman Brett Johnson was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk, while senior right fielder Kevin Husum and junior designated hitter Tyler Carroll were both 2-for-5. Husum also picked up a double, drove in a run and scored another.
Delaware opened the scoring in the top of the first for the third game in a row when it picked up a double and single with one out to go up 1-0.
JMU levelled things in the second after junior catcher Bobby San Martin drilled an 0-2 pitch to left-center for his sixth double of the three-game series. After junior third baseman Kyle Weston blooped a single to right field, Husum pulled a single through the left side to plate San Martin and draw JMU level at 1-1.
Parrott scored his first run of the game in the bottom of the third when he led off the inning with a single to center field on a 2-2 pitch. After he moved to second on a wild pitch, freshman second baseman Kyle McPherson bounced a single up the middle to bring him home and give JMU a 2-1 lead, their only advantage of the game.
The Blue Hens struck for four runs in the fourth inning, using four hits and six consecutive baserunners to take a 5-2 lead, one they would not relinquish. After they picked up a run each in the fifth and sixth innings and a pair in the top of the eighth, JMU was left to try and rally from a 9-2 deficit.
In the bottom of the ninth, sophomore pinch hitter Logan Corrigan led off the inning with a single down the right-field line, starting a rally that saw the Dukes pick up five hits in six plate appearances. Husum bounced a double down the left-field line to put runners on second and third before freshman pinch hitter Evan Hanifee lofted a sacrifice fly to right field that cut the lead to 9-3.
Parrott followed him with a 2-1 double to left-center, trading places with Husum at second and making it 9-4, and Johnson drove him home with a single to right-center to make it 9-5, but the Dukes would get no closer after a fielder’s choice and a popout closed things out.
Delaware starter Ron Marinaccio picked up the win to move to 3-1 on the year, yielding just two runs and scattering eight hits while striking out seven through his seven complete innings. Senior right-hander Derek Shifflett fell to 0-3 with the loss for JMU.
The Dukes will be back in action on Wednesday, April 8, when they head to Charlottesville, Va. for a midweek matchup with No. 9 Virginia. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Davenport Field.
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