Highlanders Fall To JMU

RADFORD, Va. -- James Madison collected 17 hits and took advantage of six Radford errors to defeat the Highlanders 16-6 Wednesday afternoon in a non-Conference baseball game and Dedmon Center Park. (Box Score)

The Dukes victory came despite three Radford home runs, including two from second baseman Alan Ashworth. The loss drops Radford to 7-20 overall while JMU improves to 10-17.

Ashworth hit a solo home run in the first inning for Radford’s first run. The Highlanders added two in the fourth when right fielder Jonathan Spears hit a two-run home run, the first of his career, to right center to score left fielder Kellen Wohlford. Ashworth hit his second home run of the day in the fifth to add three runs to the Radford total. His shot to right center scored centerfielder Jesse Ross and catcher Nachion Moore.

Ashworth and first baseman Scott Hoar led the Highlanders at the plate, each collecting two hits. Ashworth had four RBI and Spears tallied two.

JMU scored four runs in the first inning to lead off the game, scoring on two sacrifice flies and a hard hit RBI-double by first baseman Matt Bristow. The Dukes scored one run in both the second and fourth innings, and then tallied three in the fifth, two each in the sixth and seventh and three in the ninth.

Right fielder Davis Stoneburner paced the Dukes at the plate, collecting a career-high four hits in five at bats. He posted two RBI, as did five other James Madison players. Designated hitter Dan Santobianco, centerfielder Kellen Kulbacki and shortstop Rob Altieri all hit home runs for JMU.

Sophomore right-hander Brett Smith (0-1), making his first career start on the mound for the Highlanders took the loss. Smith pitched 1 1/3 inning before a batted ball struck him in the foot, forcing him to leave the game. He allowed five runs, all earned on seven hits.

Ryan Reid (2-2) earned the win for JMU with a career performance. The freshman right-hander threw six innings, allowing six runs, five earned on six hits while striking out a career-high nine batters.

Radford will travel to Conway, S.C. to face Coastal Carolina in a three-game Big South weekend series. First pitch for Friday’s game is set for 6:00 pm The Dukes will battle CAA foe Old Dominion in a three-game series the begins Friday at 7:00 pm.