NEW ORLEANS (JMU Athletics) – After recording the first nine-inning complete game in over five years for James Madison baseball, junior Max Kuhle earned the nod as Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

Pitching into an eighth inning of work for the first time in his career, Kuhle set a new career-high in innings pitched as he struck out seven Georgia Southern batters. He allowed one run, coming on a groundout, while scattering three hits and two walks. He faced four batters above the minimum, leading the Dukes to a series-opening 11-1 win.

The nine-inning complete game was the first for the Dukes since Justin Showalter twirled a one-hitter against Quinnipiac on Feb. 20, 2020. It is also the first nine-inning complete game in league play since Aaron Hoover pitched against Towson on April 24, 2015. Hoover was also the last Duke to toss a nine-inning complete game on the road when he did so at Towson on April 26, 2014.

Kuhle made an appearance in the midweek as well, striking out the lone batter he faced at Radford.

— JMU Athletics —