‘Robot-like’ righty goes eight for win

The machine known as Bobby Lasko secured the first Colonial Athletic Association conference win for the JMU Diamond Dukes, defeating Virginia Commonwealth University 12-4 Saturday at Long Field/Mauck Stadium.

"He’s very robot-like," JMU baseball coach Spanky McFarland said. "His ability to focus on the next pitch keeps us in games that we weren’t able to win for him."

The sophomore right-hander held the Rams scoreless in both the first and second innings, while the Dukes’ offense was anything but, scoring eight runs by the top of the third.

"He always gives a best effort and a quality start," JMU catcher Matt Sluder said. "He always gives us the chance to win."

Lasko’s prior starts this season have been plagued with errors and defensive mistakes. In three of his four losses, the defense had made at least three errors. In Saturday’s start, the defense committed only two — one coming after Lasko had left the game.

"You can’t give good ball clubs outs," Lasko said. "[VCU is] a good club and our defense came to play today. We’ve really been working on our defense and today it showed."

McFarland said, "Bobby had a pickoff in the first which helped stop their strong running game."

Not only did the Diamond Dukes bring solid defense but their bats were on fire. In the first inning Nate Schill blasted a three-run homer to put the Dukes up by four.

"We’ve definitely had ups and downs this year," Schill said. "We just need to get consistent with our hitting. It takes the pressure of eveyone. You can reach a comfort level, but you don’t want to get too comfortable."

The defense got Lasko out of two bases-loaded jams in the fourth and fifth innings, holding the Rams scoreless on both occasions.

Lasko walked six in the game, but the Rams weren’t able to convert.

"Bobby had a few walks but managed to make good pitches when he needed to," McFarland said.

Lasko pitched eight innings, struck out eight and allowed only one run off of a solo home run in the top of the third. Lasko’s eight-inning performance was the longest pitching appearance by any JMU starter this year. The Diamond Dukes will look for another one when they continue play Tuesday at 3 p.m., hosting the Lancers of Longwood University in a non-conference matchup at Long Field/Mauck Stadium.