HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – Fenwick Trimble launched a grand slam as part of a seven-run sixth inning to help James Madison baseball secure a Sun Belt Conference series victory with a 9-2 win over Arkansas State on Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park.

JMU (28-19, 13-11 SBC) scored nine runs on seven hits, while the Red Wolves mustered only two runs on five hits with an error.

Max Kuhle (5-4) picked up the win on the mound, pitching 5.0 innings and striking out five batters. Mike Mancini finished 2-for-5 (.400) with a home run and a double, while Jason Schiavone and Kyle Langley also picked up RBI.

The duo of Hunter Entsminger and Joe Vogatsky combined for six strikeouts and only one earned run allowed to secure the win for the Dukes. As a staff, JMU struck out 11 batters on the day,

How It Happened
First Inning
Schiavone singled up the middle to score Trimble and put the Dukes up 1-0.

Second Inning
Arkansas State took advantage of a wild pitch in the top of the second to tie the game at 1-1 but left three on base. JMU responded with a double from Jacob Steinberg to drive in Calabrese to retake the lead, 2-1.

Fourth Inning
Kuhle went to work in the top of the fourth, striking out three Red Wolves swinging as the Dukes maintained their 2-1 edge.

Sixth Inning
In the bottom of the sixth, five Dukes were walked, resulting in Wyatt Peifer and Calabrese coming across to extend JMU’s advantage to 4-1. With the bases still loaded, Trimble hit a grand slam on the first pitch to put the Purple and Gold ahead 8-1. Mancini joined the hit parade with a solo shot to right field as the Dukes’ took a 9-1 lead heading into the seventh.

Seventh Inning
A-State chipped away at the deficit with an RBI from Allen Grier to bring Ryan Hunter home. However, Entsminger struck out a Red Wolf looking with two runners on to keep JMU on top, 9-2.

Game Notes
• James Madison leads Arkansas State in the all-time series, 3-1.
• Fenwick’s grand slam marked the 31st homer of his career and his 199th career hit.
• The home runs from Mancini and Trimble give the Dukes 72 on the season, tying for the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
• The Dukes struck out double-digit batters (11) for the 12th time this season.
• JMU held Arkansas State to 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

Up Next
The Dukes will remain at home to host Marshall, May 10-12, the final home series of the season. Friday’s game is slated for 6 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.

— JMU Athletics —