NORFOLK, Va. (JMU Athletics) – Old Dominion utilized a three-run second inning and held James Madison to just five total hits to open the Sun Belt Conference weekend baseball series with a 7-1 win against the Dukes Friday night at Bud Metheny Stadium.

The Monarchs improved to 17-16 on the year and 6-7 in Sun Belt play while the Dukes dropped to 20-13 and 6-7.

John Holobetz earned the for ODU, going five innings and conceding just one run and four hits with a trio of strikeouts. Jay Cassady pitched the final four frames, allowing just one hit while striking out six. Offensively, the Monarchs were led by Maverick Stallings, who was 2-of-4 with two RBI and a run, and Evan Holman, who was 2-of-3 with a pair of RBI, a run and walk.

Junior Ryan Dooley recorded two hits and an RBI to pace the offense and junior Coleman Calabrese and sophomores Mike Mancini and Wyatt Peifer each recorded a base hit.

On the hill, senior Ryan Murphy tied his season-high of 5.0 innings pitched, allowing four runs and six hits with a walk. Redshirt sophomore T.R. Williams also struck out a pair of batters in relief.

How It Happened
Second Inning
After one scoreless inning of action, a trio of singles brought home three Monarchs to give the hosts the early 3-0 lead.

Fifth Inning
ODU attempted a double steal and while one runner was caught on the basepaths, Kyle Edwards crossed home plate to put ODU up 4-0.

Sixth Inning
Stallings registered his second RBI of the night on a single through the left side, Kenny Levari to make it 5-0.

Seventh Inning
A sacrifice fly to center scored Holman from third, extending the lead to 6-0 for ODU.

Eighth Inning
Holman continued his strong day, recording a RBI single with two outs in the inning, scoring Alex Bouche for the host’s final run of the night.

Ninth Inning
JMU got on the board in the final inning, as Jack Guerrero drew a walk, setting up a two-out RBI double from Dooley. ODU finished things off on the ensuing at-bat with a ground out to third.

Game Notes
• JMU trails ODU in the all-time series, 54-60-1.
• James Madison still leads ODU in the TowneBank Royal Rivalry, 10.5-4.5.

Up Next
The Dukes continue their series with ODU, with the first pitch of game two set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 13.

— JMU Athletics —