Blue Hens Drop Series Finale At JMU, 7-4

Sunday, March 24

Harrisonburg, VA

3 p.m.

University of Delaware

5-17, 1-2

JMU

17-8, 2-1

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

3/24/2019 7:15:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – One inning. That's all it takes.

The University of Delaware baseball team learned that lesson the hard way this past weekend, battling JMU toe-to-toe for 23 of the 27 innings over the weekend, but three tough ones, including a seven-run frame on Sunday proved to be the difference.

In the series finale on Sunday, the Dukes scored in only one inning, but it was enough to come away with a 7-4 victory and the series win.

"We just learned how valuable how one big inning is today. We shutout them out for seven of the eight innings, but one big second inning cost us. Joey [Silan] just wasn't sharp today, but it's an opportunity to learn and grow for the future," head coach Jim Sherman said. "I thought we battled and had our chances, but we just weren't able to chip away enough."

Sophomore Jordan Hutchins had his team-leading seventh multi-hit game of the year, going 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Junior Jack Goan had two hits and an RBI. Freshman Joseph Carpenter extended his streak of reaching base to 14 straight games on the afternoon.

On the mound, Derek Wakeley was outstanding out of the pen, shuting out the Dukes for 5.2 innings of work, scattering six hits and striking out eight.

"Overall, I thought we played well for 23 of the 27 innings, but really four innings cost us and that's something we really have to try to do a better job of minimalizing the big innings. We've made strides over the past few weeks, we just have to keep focusing on getting better each and every day," Sherman added.

JMU used eight free baserunners (six walks and two HBPs) to put up seven runs in the second inning and take an early 7-0 lead.

The Blue Hens responded right away with RBI singles from Hutchins, Goan and Vinny Vaccone in the top of the third to make it 7-3.

Wakeley would shut down the Dukes offense and Delaware would put runners on in the fifth, sixth and seventh, but were unable to add any runs.

The Blue Hens scratched out a run in the ninth, but wasn't able to complete the comeback in the 7-4 loss.

Up Next

Delaware opens up the 2019 Liberty Bell Classic when it hosts Lehigh University on Tuesday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.