Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - Evan Scott fired a gem for James Madison as the freshman pitcher twirled eight solid innings to lead the Dukes to an 8-3 victory over the University of Delaware baseball team on Saturday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium.

Scott held the Hens (21-14, 7-7 CAA) scoreless through the first eight innings of play before surrendering a two-run home run to Steve Ulaky (at right) in the bottom of the ninth. The JMU ace eventually allowed just three hits and struck out a career-high nine batters before handing the ball off to the bullpen.

On a hot spring afternoon, the two starting pitchers kept both lineups cold for the early part of the contest. The first three innings were highlighted by strong pitching from Scott and Brad Miller, who kept the game scoreless until the fourth.

In the top of the fourth, Trevor Knight led off the inning with a single before Matt Browning deposited an offering over the right centerfield fence. Although he surrendered a double to the next hitter, Miller seemed unfazed by the homer as he returned to the mound to retire the side quickly in both the fifth and sixth.

Scott continued to match Miller pitch-for-pitch as the freshman right-hander looked strong against the Blue Hen lineup. Although Chris Nehl broke up his no-hit bid in the fourth, Scott quickly fell back into his grove, striking out five during the three-inning stretch from the fourth through the sixth.

James Madison (23-17, 8-6) struck again in the top of the seventh as the team tossed a three-spot on the board. Matt Townsend punctuated the rally with a two-run shot that extended his hitting streak to 30 games.

One inning later, the Dukes added two more insurance runs as the team capitalized on back-to-back doubles from McKinnon Langston and Chris Johnson before Townsend topped off the frame with an RBI single.

James Madison eventually added one more run in the top of the ninth, before Ulaky launched his first career home run in the bottom of the frame. Later, Pat Dameron doubled and Danny Overcash drove him in with a pinch hit single to cap the scoring at 8-3.

Despite taking the loss, Miller (3-4) looked sharp for much of the afternoon. Although ultimately undone by the two-run home runs, he struck out four and scattered seven hits over his 6.1 innings on the mound.

Dameron and Scott Shockley both posted a hit and walk for the Hens. Carlos Alonso also drew a base on balls and was hit by a pitch. In doing so, he reached base safely for the 35th straight game. The junior third baseman also made the defensive play of the game, bare-handing a beautiful bunt attempt by Alex Foltz before gunning down the Duke centerfielder by a stride in the third.

James Madison was paced by Townsend and Trevor Knight, who both knocked in three during the day.

The two squads will return to action tomorrow for the series finale at 1 p.m.