Diamond Dukes strike down Lancers

JMU wins both games opening day

Evin Shoap / contributing photographer The Diamond Dukes defeated Longwood University twice Saturday in the team's opening day doubleheader of the 2004 season. JMU won the first game, 13-0, and put together another solid performance in a 12-3 win in the second game.

Sophomore second baseman Michael Cowgill went three for four in the season opener as the Diamond Dukes started their 2004 campaign with a pair of convincing wins over Longwood University Saturday at Long Field/Mauck Stadium.

Cowgill's offensive outburst was highlighted by a solo home run in the second inning — the first of the season for JMU.

"I was just looking to get on base and start something with two outs," Cowgill said. "I hit it well."

JMU head coach Spanky McFarland said, "Winning is good for our confidence — it's big for young clubs to get off on the right foot. We've got a long way to go before we're ready for conference play, but this helps. It's nice to start out 2-0."

The Diamond Dukes took the opener 13-0, pounding 14 hits and chasing out Longwood's starting pitcher Evan Weinstein after just 3 1/3 innings.

JMU scored early and often, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore center fielder Skyler Doom drew a walk to start the game and, after stealing second, came around to score on sophomore third baseman Nate Schill's RBI single.

"For the most part, [Longwood's pitchers] were around the plate," Cowgill said. "They were throwing more fastballs, which we're used to."

The Diamond Dukes continued to apply pressure, scoring three times in the second inning after two men were out. After Cowgill's home run, freshman shortstop Davis Stoneburner singled and stole second. Doom followed with a single of his own to score Stoneburner, and Weinstein then walked three straight batters, allowing Doom to score before the Lancers finally got out of the inning.

"It's big when you jump out early," McFarland said.

While the Diamond Dukes were making noise on offense, Longwood's bats were relatively quiet, as four JMU pitchers combined to throw a five-hit shutout. Junior right-handed pitcher Brian Leatherwood went five innings, striking out eight batters before he gave way to freshman left-handed pitcher Jacob Cook — who threw two perfect innings in relief of Leatherwood — making his collegiate debut. Freshman right-handed pitcher Bobby Lasko and red-shirt freshman left-handed pitcher David Rich finished off the shutout.

"Basically, we just wanted to stay ahead of the batters," Leatherwood said. "We wanted to throw strikes and get ahead in the count early."

JMU led 9-0 after the fifth inning and exploded for four runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Freshman designated hitter Matt Armentrout drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on red-shirt senior left fielder Alan Lindsey's double. Junior right fielder Mike Butia tripled, scoring Lindsey, and Butia later scored on Schill's second RBI single of the day.

Game two of the doubleheader (a seven inning game) saw JMU capitalize early off mistakes by Longwood pitcher John Hines en route to a 12-3 victory.

Freshman center fielder Brandon Bowser started the first inning by singling and reached third after two wild pitches. Hines then hit Doom with a pitch. With runners on first and third, the Diamond Dukes executed a double steal to take a 1-0 lead.

Things didn't improve much for Longwood from there, as three JMU hits and two walks issued by Hines in the second inning made it 5-0.

In sharp contrast to Hines, red-shirt sophomore left-handed pitcher Greg Nesbitt began the game by sitting down 10 straight batters. Nesbitt ran into some trouble in the fourth inning, where he gave up a three-run home run to senior right fielder Brian Medley, but rebounded to throw six strong innings, striking out five.

"I left that change-up (to Medley) up in the zone," Nesbitt said. "Overall, I tried to pitch my game and stuck to that plan for the most part."

The Diamond Dukes later scored five runs in the sixth inning to secure their second victory of the season.

"It's always important to win the first two games of the year," Nesbitt said. "The more wins we pick up early, the better we'll be when we get to conference play."

Game Notes

Mike Butia left game two early with a cramp in his leg … Longwood was 0-19 at one point in the doubleheader when facing left-handed pitching … Doom and Cowgill each reached base six times in the double header … Longwood pitchers walked 21 batters in 14 total innings

JMU 13, Longwood 0, Game 1
Longwood 000 000 000 — 0 5 4
JMU 131 310 04X — 13 14 1
W — Leatherwood; L — Weinstein

JMU 12, Longwood 3, Game 2
Longwood 000 300 0 — 3 7 2
JMU 142 005 X — 12 8 0
W — Nesbitt; L — Hines