Senior Jack Guerrero played a key role in James Madison University’s 6-3 victory over UAlbany on Saturday at Fluor Field in Greenville, South Carolina. Guerrero set a personal best with three hits and hit his first career home run during the game.
The win brings the Dukes’ record to 4-5, while UAlbany remains winless at 0-5.
Guerrero went 3-for-4 at the plate, drove in two runs, and scored once. Freshman Luke Alexander earned his second win of the season after pitching 3.2 innings in relief and recording one strikeout. Redshirt sophomore Holden McKinney secured his first career save by pitching two scoreless innings and striking out two batters.
James Madison took control in the fourth inning with four runs. Guerrero started the scoring with a single that brought home junior Ike Schmidly. Additional runs came from singles by freshman Cameron Aycock and senior Wyatt Campbell, along with a squeeze bunt by junior Ben Barrow.
In the fifth inning, Guerrero hit his first collegiate home run over the right center field wall, extending JMU’s lead to 5-0.
UAlbany responded in the sixth inning with two runs on a single and a triple. The Great Danes added another run in the seventh on a single down the right field line, narrowing JMU’s lead to 5-3.
In the bottom of the seventh, sophomore Reece Moody singled up the middle to bring home Schmidly for an insurance run, making it 6-3.
“The Dukes were exceptional when they had a base runner, hitting .455 (5-for-11) with runners on and .500 (4-for-8) with runners in scoring position,” according to team officials. “JMU had five two-out base hits.”
Senior Max Kuhle started for JMU and pitched three perfect innings while striking out four batters.
The Dukes will finish their participation in the First Pitch Invitational against Michigan State tomorrow at 2 p.m.
