Dukes dominate Pirates, 11-5

JMU tops East Carolina in each team’s final non-conference game

East Carolina entered Tuesday night’s game with James Madison in desperate need of a jolt and momentum-creating victory prior to this weekend’s key CUSA series with Houston.

However, it instead was more of the same for Billy Godwin’s Pirates.

ECU (30-23) did score first, as Philip Clark delivered a run-scoring single in the bottom of the second.

From that point on, though, it was all Dukes.

JMU (27-20) took the lead for good when designated hitter Brett Garner’s single scored two to make it 2-1 in the top of the third.

The Dukes continued to add to their advantage in the fourth when they plated four runs on four hits against freshman righty Joseph Hughes. Johnny Bladel and Mike Fabiaschi delivered two-run singles to extend the margin to 6-1.

After Spanky McFarland’s club stretched its lead to 7-1 in the top of the sixth, Devin Harris cut East Carolina’s deficit to four at 7-3 with a two-out, two-run blast to center.

Any serious threat of a comeback was ended when the Dukes tacked on four more against Mike Wright in the eighth to make the score 11-3.

ECU did score single runs in the seventh and eighth, but couldn’t produce a rally.

Eight pitchers saw mound time for the Pirates, as Billy Godwin employed a staff approach. Starter Shawn Armstrong worked two hitless, shutout innings and struck out four.

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JMU starter Evan Scott allowed one run on three hits in 4.1 innings to notch his first win of the season.

Devin Harris led the East Carolina offensive attack with a 3-for-5 night. Philip Clark and Trent Whitehead also had two hits apiece for the Pirates.

The Pirates had ten hits—the same as JMU—and drew nine walks. However, they couldn’t take advantage of opportunities and left 12 runners on.

ECU will host Houston this weekend in a critical CUSA series that feature two teams attempting to clinch spots in next week’s league tournament. Houston is hosting the event so the Cougars will come to Clark-LeClair Stadium with plenty of motivation.