JMU Splits Double-Header, Wins Series Over UR:
Nate Turner Homer in Extra-Inning Wins Game One,8-7;
Dukes crushed in second game, 12-2

- Mike Kolakoski
The Breeze

"We used the long ball to win in the first game and then [Richmond] did a good job of stopping us in the second game. You have to give them credit," JMU coach Spanky McFarland said.

In the first game, the Dukes jumped out to an early three run lead behind the bats of junior centerfielder Kevin Razler and senior shortstop Corey Hoch. Razler finished 2-4 with three RBIs.

Richmond stormed back in the fourth inning, taking a 6-3 lead on four walks and two errors. However, JMU steadily chopped into the Spider's three-run lead. Senior designated-hitter Greg White hit a solo home run in the Dukes' half of the fourth inning and senior outfielder Chad Hartman went yeard in the bottom of the sixth, narrowing the score to 6-5.

Hartman then drove in junior infielder Nate Turner to tie the score at six.

"They were concentrating a lot on our speed," McFarland said. "That made them throw some balls that were very hittable."

Junior pitcher Ryan New, who came on in relief in the fourth inning, shut down the Spiders in four-plus scoreless innings.

Due to the double-header, the first game was scheduled for seven innings. In the first extra-inning, Turner hit a solo home run over the right field wall to give New his first win of the season and JUM the 7-6 victory.

"It was my first game-winning home run here at JMU," Turner said. "It's a great feeling. You don't get many opportunities and you just have to take advantage of them when they come along."

The Dukes did not fair as well in the second game. Giveing up runs in three consecutive innings, JMU found themselves in an early 6-0 hole.

Turner drove in a run with a single in the bottom of the sixth inning, but UR added another run on a series of walks, base hits and a high chopper which landed between three JMU infielders.

"It's sort of weird to get as many hits as we did today and only score two runs [in the second game]," Turner said. "We didn't steal as many bases as we usually do. I think that might explain the lack of scoring."

JMU gave up six more runs in a long top half of the eigth inning and McFarland took advantage of the lopsided score, giving some young pitchers a bit of experience.

"We have a young pitching staff this year. They're coming around, though. I wanted to give them some innings." McFarland said.

Senior shortstop Jeff Kenney went 6-6 with two home runs for the Spiders in the second game. In the first game, JMU hit four home runs, including a blast from Hoch.

Despite losing the second game, the Dukes took the weekend's series with conference leading University of RIchmond. JMU beat the Spiders on Saturday 11-4, again using big bats to earn the win. THe Dukes went yard four times in the game.

Eric Bender was the main source of the Dukes' offensive power, as he doubled three times and drove in four runs.

Hoch and second baseman T. Riley contributed two hits in the winning effort.

Freshman right fielder Greg Miller continued his hot hitting as well as he went 3-3 with four runs scored.

Two of Richmond's four runs came in the ninth inning when starting pitcher Aaron Sams ran into trouble.

Sams worked out of the jam though and earned his seventh victory of the year. IT was Sams' third complete game of the season. He struck out 10 Spiders to up his team-leading strike out total of 58.

The Dukes are 5-3 in the CAA and 18-16 overall; while the Spiders came out of the series sporting a 23-9-1 overall record and a 11-3 record in the CAA.

The Dukes return to action Wednsday afternoon when George Washington University comes to Long Field for a 3 p.m. match-up.

This article appeared in JMU's The Breeze, 4.6.98.