TOWSON, Md. – Towson got a three-run home run from
A.J. Gallo and a two-run shot from
Brady Policelli in defeating James Madison, 6-4, Friday afternoon in the series opener at Schuerholz Park.
How It Happened- The Dukes (13-17, 4-3 CAA) got on the board in the third inning after an error allowed a base runner to reach. That runner came around to score on Ky Parrott's double to left field.
- The Tigers (12-18, 3-1 CAA) answered back in the home-half of the inning as Policelli ripped a one-out double to left field and scored on a Chris Henze single through the right side.
- JMU regained the lead the fifth after a leadoff single came in to score on a passed ball.
- Towson had an answer yet again in the bottom of the inning as Colin Gimblet singled up the middle and Policelli followed with a line drive passed the shortstop. Two batters later, Gallo hit his first home run to right field to make it a 4-2 game.
- JMU would add a run in the sixth before the Tigers went deep again in the seventh on Policelli's two-run shot to left, his fourth of the season.
- The Dukes looked to rally in the eighth inning as they started the frame with back-to-back hits. The damage was minimized on a 6-4-3 double play. JMU would manage to score one run in the frame to cut the lead to 6-4.
- A leadoff walk in the ninth gave the Dukes some hope. Lee Lawler would retire the next two hitters, before ending the game with a groundout to second.
- Policelli was the catalyst of the 13-hit attack by going 4-for-4 with a double, home run, two RBIs and three runs scored.
- Gallo collected two hits and drove in three runs, while Gimblet had two singles and scored two runs.
- Skyler Morris (2-1) allowed three runs, one earned, on five hits and five strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
- Lawler allowed one hits over the final two innings to earn his third save of the season.
- Aaron Hoover (3-3) gave up four runs on 10 hits over six innings to take the loss.
On DeckThe two teams are scheduled to play the middle game of the three-game series Saturday afternoon