HARRISONBURG, Va. – The offense of James Madison reached double-digit runs for the third time in the last five meetings with George Mason to down the Patriots, 10-2, in the Dukes’ home opener on Tuesday night in non-conference baseball at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Dukes picked up their first win to move to 1-3, while the Patriots drop to an even 2-2.

Graduate Jack Cone started for JMU and picked up his first win in his pitching debut for the Dukes, tossing four shutout innings while striking out four and scattering four hits. Redshirt junior Jacob Steinberg led the team at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI’s. His three hits are the most in his JMU career and the three RBI’s tie a career high.

How It Happened
First Inning
The Dukes put a four-spot on the board to start the ball game. After tossing a scoreless first inning, Cone led off the home half with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. Redshirt junior Mason Dunaway drew a walk the next at bat and stole second before sophomore Fenwick Trimble singled in Cone. After a fielding error to load the bases, the Dukes got a second run in on a double play. Redshirt sophomore Grant Painter then capped the inning by lacing a triple following a walk to plate two runs and give the Dukes a 4-0 lead.

Third Inning
Redshirt senior Trevon Dabney added two more runs for the Dukes in his season debut, homering for the 15th time in his career to bring home Trimble who led off the inning with a nine-pitch walk. JMU would take a 6-0 lead after the homer.

Fourth Inning
After two quick outs, Dabney got on base off a fielding error. Steinberg then stepped up and took the first pitch he saw the other way and over the right field wall to extend the lead to 8-0.

Fifth Inning
Painter led off the fifth with a double to left center field on the first pitch and moved to third the next at bat on a fly out. He came home to score in the next at bat, touching home plate on a passed ball for a 9-0 JMU lead.

Eighth Inning
With one out, Dabney one-hopped the center field wall and turned on the jets to land on third with a triple. Steinberg then duplicated the fourth inning, scoring Dabney this time on a single up the middle for a 10-0 lead.

Ninth Inning
George Mason was able to end the shutout in the ninth, scoring two runs on a bases loaded throwing error in the infield to make it 10-2.

Game Notes
• Led by Jacob Steinberg’s three hits, five Dukes recorded multiple hits in the game.
• Despite giving up two runs, the combination of Jack Cone, CJ Czerwinski and Hunter Entsminger did not allow an earned run.
• Four of the eight RBI’s for JMU came with two outs.

Up Next
The Dukes continue their 10-game homestand when they welcome Cornell for a three-game set Feb. 24-26. The series opener is set for 3 p.m. on Friday at Veterans Memorial Park.

— JMU Athletics —