Mauck Stadium marathon

Schill beats Bobcats on bases-loaded single in 12th inning

Evin Shoap / senior photographer JMU freshman left fielder Kellen Kulbacki slides into third just before the ball in Tuesday's game against Ohio University. Kulbacki was one of four Diamond Dukes posting multi-hit games, going 4 for 6 with a triple and an RBI. As a team, JMU pounded out a season-high 17 hits in the 12-inning contest.

In the top of the third inning, JMU’s Nate Schill made an error that let Ohio University take a 3-2 lead over the Diamond Dukes. Nine innings later, nobody remembered.

With two outs in the bottom of the 12th, the junior third baseman smacked a single with the bases loaded to score pinch runner, freshman Joe Lake from third and lift JMU over Ohio University, 8-7 at Long Field/Mauck Stadium.

"It’s difficult to separate fielding from hitting," Schill said. "We were working on that this fall and into the spring. If you make an error, don’t take it into the next play and try to shut it out and do the next thing you’re supposed to do."

It wasn’t the only time Schill came through in the clutch.

In the bottom of ninth, the Diamond Dukes (6-11) were down 6-5 after the Bobcats (3-10) took the lead in the seventh on a two-run double. Schill sent the contest into extra innings when he singled in junior second baseman Michael Cowgill from third and tied the game at 6 apiece.

Schill finished the game 4 for 6, with a double and three runs batted in.

"When we go gap-to-gap and stay back on the ball, we’re unbelievable," JMU coach Spanky McFarland said.

Also turning in multi-hit performances for the Diamond Dukes were freshman left fielder Kellen Kulbacki (4-6, with an RBI triple), junior first baseman Matt Bristow (4-6 with an RBI double) and Cowgill (2-6 with two runs scored). However, the hits weren’t as timely as some might have preferred.

"We hit until runners are on base, then we’re stupid," McFarland said. "The good news is that we’re swinging the bats, but the bad news is we’re not scoring. Hopefully, that is something we can rectify."

The Diamond Dukes left 28 runners on base and made three errors — all of which led to Bobcat runs in the third and sixth innings.

"Basically, this game was about two teams that were struggling," McFarland said. "It was two teams that want to win, but neither team knows how to win."

Ohio made four errors, the last of which was most costly.

"I guess it was just whoever was going to take advantage of each other’s mistakes and fortunately we had the last at-bats," Bristow said.

Two batters before Schill stepped to the plate, sophomore catcher Dan Santobianco scored from third on an errant pickoff move by Ohio reliever Daniel Weiss to tie the game at 6-6.

"Errors play a key role at every level," Kulbacki said. "They are always going to come back and haunt you. Today was a great example of how booted balls turn into runs. If you see an error, you have to capitalize on it."

Sophomore right-hander Travis Risser picked up the win for the Diamond Dukes, improving to a team-best 4-1. He struck out eight, giving up four hits in five and two-thirds innings of relief.

"We need to get him out there more," McFarland said. "He’s our closer and he’s one of our best pitchers. Today was the most he’s pitched in two years."

Starter sophomore right-hander Bobby Lasko was a victim of errors, lasting six and one-third innings while giving up six runs, only four of which were earned.

"Bobby should be 5-0 right now," McFarland said. "Every game he’s started, we’ve had a chance to win."