Seven Innings from Burke, Nine Unanswered Runs Secure Series for Dukes Over Eagles

Saturday, April 20

Harrisonburg, Va.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

23-15, 9-8

Georgia Southern

19-19, 9-8

Georgia Southern

James Madison

Seven Innings from Burke, Nine Unanswered Runs Secure Series for Dukes Over Eagles

4/20/2024 9:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Behind seven innings of one-run ball from graduate Donovan Burke and nine unanswered runs, James Madison baseball secured the series against Georgia Southern at Veterans Memorial Park with a 9-1 win on Saturday.

The Dukes improved to 23-15, 9-8 Sun Belt and are now 17-3 at home for their best 20-game home start since beginning the 2006 season at 18-2. The Eagles fell to 19-19, 9-8 Sun Belt.

At the dish, junior Jason Schiavone led JMU by going 2-for-5 with his first career multi-homer game and three RBI's. Burke remained perfect on the mound as he improved to 4-0 this season behind seven innings of one-run ball, scattering eight hits and striking out four with no walks.

How It Happened
Second Inning
A solo shot from TJ McKenzie put GS on the board first.

JMU responded two batters into the home half of the inning, as sophomore Wyatt Peifer led off with a double and scored the next at bat on a single from Calabrese to tie the game. A squeeze bunt from freshman Kyle Langley and an infield single from junior Ryan Dooley gave JMU a 3-1 lead.

Third Inning
Schiavone led off the inning with his third homer in as many games and was followed by Peifer, who also homered in back-to-back games. The pair's back-to-back homers pushed JMU's lead to 5-1.

Fourth Inning
Redshirt senior Mason Dunaway singled to lead of the inning and was joined on the bases by junior Fenwick Trimble and sophomore Mike Mancini before touching home plate after Peifer drew a walk to make it 6-1.

Fifth Inning
The Dukes tacked on another run after graduate Brendan O'Donnell led off with a double, moved to third on a wild pitch and was brought home on a sacrifice fly from Langley, making it 7-1.

Sixth Inning
After Mancini singled and stole second for the most stolen bases in a season since 2016 at 18, Schiavone hit his team-leading 13^th homer of the season to push the lead to 9-1 and give himself his first career multi-homer game.

Game Notes

JMU scored runs in five consecutive innings.
Mike Mancini's 18 stolen bases are the most since Chad Carroll stole 23 in 2016.
Donovan Burke picked off two runners, upping his season total to seven and his career total to 17.
A season-high 876 fans attended Saturday's game.
Wyatt Peifer recorded his second career three-hit game, tying his career high.

Up Next
The Dukes and Eagles meet in the finale of the three-game set at Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday, April 21 for a 1 p.m. start.