SAN MARCOS, Texas (JMU Athletics) – Tied at four in the ninth inning, Texas State used a Coy DeFury single to walk off James Madison baseball, 5-4, on Friday night in Sun Belt Conference action at Bobcat Ballpark.

The Dukes fell to 16-38 (9-20 SBC) while the Bobcats improved to 26-28 (14-15 SBC).

Senior Ryan Dooley had a season-high-tying three hits to lead the Dukes at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a walk, a double and two runs scored. Junior Max Kuhle got the start on the mound and went 2.2 innings, surrendering four runs.

How It Happened
Second Inning
Texas State struck for three runs, using three walks to load the bases before a fielder’s choice knocked in the first run. A two-run double down the right field line increased the score to 3-0.

Third Inning
Following back-to-back singles from sophomore Ike Schmidly and Dooley, senior Coleman Calabrese brought the Dukes within one with a single up the middle to score the two runners and make it 3-2.

A fielding error allowed the Bobcats to extend the lead back to multiple runs, making it 4-2 on the runners on the corner situation.

Fourth Inning
Schmidly struck for a run to bring JMU within one again, doubling in junior Jack Cannizzaro to make it 4-3. Junior Maddux Fleck attempted to score from first to tie the game, but was thrown out for the final out of the inning.

Fifth Inning
Sophomore Kyle Langley hit his first of two extra-base hits to tie the game at four for the Dukes. Dooley led off with a single to get on base before coming around to score on the double.

Ninth Inning
Two walks, with the second being intentional after a stolen base, but the winning run in scoring position for Texas State. DeFury then singled into right center field, knocking in Ryne Farber from second base to win 5-4.

Game Notes
• With six strikeouts thrown from the pitching staff, the Dukes move into ninth place in single-season team strikeouts with 441. It is the second consecutive season, and third in the last five full seasons (2019, 2022-25), that the Dukes have thrown a top 10 single-season strikeout total.
• Following Brode Susce’s brilliant outing from the bullpen last night, redshirt freshman Holden McKinney followed with a career-high-tying 3.1 innings and a career-high four strikeouts. He allowed only one hit and one walk.
• The Dukes fell to 2-2 this season in walk-off decisions.
• Ryan Dooley’s three-hit game was the 40th multi-hit game of his career.

Up Next
The 2025 season finale for JMU is set for 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT tomorrow, May 17, as they wrap up the series with Texas State.

— JMU Athletics —