JMU takes down UNC-W

Cowgill's ninth-inning home run lifts Diamond Dukes to home victory

Chris Labzda / senior photographer Sophomore second basemen Michael Cowgill's walk-off home run gave the Diamond Dukes a 13-12 victory over UNC-W Saturday.

Sophomore second baseman Michael Cowgill's walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted JMU to a 13-12 victory over the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Saturday at Long Field/Mauck Stadium.

"It was a fastball about knee high," Cowgill said. "It might have been a little outside, but it was a nice pitch."

After losing the series opener, 17-4, to the Seahawks Friday afternoon, the Diamond Dukes rebounded with 16 hits and recorded their first victory of the season in Colonial Athletic Association play.

Freshman shortstop Davis Stoneburner had three RBI and sophomore left fielder Skyler Doom connected for his first home run of the season as the Diamond Dukes improved to 18-6 overall and 1-1 in the CAA.

"These guys don't think they're ever out of it," coach Spanky McFarland said. "They think they can win any game — we're a dangerous club."

Cowgill's game-winning home run, a line drive over the center field fence, was his third of the season. The home run came after the Diamond Dukes had blown a 6 run lead by allowing 2 runs in the seventh and four more in the eighth.

Freshman relief pitcher Ryan Lobban loaded the bases in the eighth inning with two outs. McFarland replaced him and brought in freshman right-hander Travis Risser to stem the tide. Risser promptly gave up a grand slam home run to UNC-W first baseman Matt Sutton, that tied the game at 12-12.

"It's very concerning when you blow a lead like that," McFarland said. "But if you can still hang on and win it's good news; at least not all is lost."

The Diamond Dukes had lead 8-1 going into the fourth inning on the strength of their timely hitting and patience.

After the Seahawks had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, freshman center fielder Brandon Bowser drew a lead-off walk and Cowgill singled him to second. UNC-W pitcher Thomas Benton then gave up back-to-back one out singles to sophomore third baseman Nate Schill and Stoneburner, the latter of which plated both Bowser and Cowgill to get JMU on the board.

"We stay focused throughout the game," Doom said. "That's the kind of team we are. We never give up."

The Diamond Dukes increased their lead in the third inning, scoring 6 more runs to chase Benton from the game.

Junior right fielder Mike Butia legged out an infield single and Schill followed with a base hit to center field. Stoneburner then picked up his third RBI of the day when his double scored Butia to make it 3-1.

JMU was far from finished as red-shirt freshman catcher Dan Santobianco, sophomore designated hitter Matt Sluder and sophomore first baseman Matt Bristow all connected for RBI singles.

Doom then reached base on an error, allowing Sluder to score, making it 7-1, JMU.

With one out and Jeff Moore on the mound in relief of Benton, Cowgill rounded out the scoring with a single to score Bristow from second.

"Yesterday, they (UNC-W) beat us up pretty good, but they never slacked off," McFarland said. "That's in respect to our ability to come back, which we showed today."

The Seahawks refused to go away however, scoring four times off red-shirt sophomore pitcher Greg Nesbitt in the fourth inning and knocking him out of the game to close within 3 runs.

Freshman pitcher Bobby Lasko was ushered into the game and inherited runners on first and third with only one out. Lasko gave up an RBI single to make the score 8-6, but then got Seahawks' third baseman Jonathan Batts to hit into an inning-ending double play to preserve the lead.

"He went in and shut them down," McFarland said. "I thought he did a pretty good job; he was rolling along pretty good."

The Diamond Dukes struck back in the bottom of the inning on a pair of hits, a hit batsman, a walk and a sacrifice fly by Doom to increase the lead to 10-6.

In the sixth, Doom connected for a two-run home run off of Moore to make it 12-6.

"I was trying to get on base and stay on it," Doom said. "I just reacted to the pitch."

Three innings later, the stage was set for Cowgill's heroics and another JMU late inning victory.

"We've come from behind quite a few times in the late innings," Cowgill said. "We're the cardiac kids. Hopefully this continues into tomorrow and we can take the series two out of three."

The late inning trend didn't continue, the Diamond Dukes dropped the rubber match 8-7.

JMU resumes their season Wednesday in Blacksburg when they face Virginia Tech at 3 p.m.