HARRISONBURG, Va. – The William & Mary baseball team rallied, but couldn't overcome an early deficit falling 8-5 to James Madison in the series opener of a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series on Friday night in Harrisonburg. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 15-18, 4-5 in CAA play, while the Dukes improve to 15-19, 5-5 in league action.
 
Sophomore Ryan Hall led the Tribe collecting three hits, including a double. Both senior Josh Smith and freshman Hunter Smith collected two RBI in the setback. 
 
James Madison took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Kyle Parrott led of the frame with a towering homer over the right field fence. The blast gave the Dukes a 1-0 lead.
 
The Dukes tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the second inning, extending the lead. Michael Sciorra led to the inning with a single, advancing on a second a sacrifice bunt. Tanner Dofflemyer was hit by pitch putting runners on first and second. Parrot followed with a triple clearing the bases, and he later came around to score on an error, making the score 4-0.
 
JMU scored again in the bottom of the third inning this time with two outs. With one out, Adam Sisk doubled down the left field line setting the table. After an out, Tyler Carroll singled up the middle, extending the advantage to 5-0.
 
For the 23rd time this season W&M plated four or more runs in an inning, crossing the plate four times in the top of the fourth inning. Hall led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch, moving to second on a single from sophomore Cullen Large. The next batter, junior Tim Hoehn followed with a single up the middle, scoring the first Tribe run. After a walk to freshman Kyle Wrighte, Hunter Smith grounded out to score the second run. Another walk reloaded the bases, for Josh Smith, who singled up the middle scoring two runs and cutting the deficit to 5-4.
 
The Dukes added three more runs all with two outs to widen the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, Zach Tondi singled to right field, followed by an infield single putting runners on first and second. Michael Sciorra followed with a single scoring the first run of the frame. Carroll followed suit with a single that scored two pushing the lead to 8-4.
 
W&M fought back for a run in the top of the eighth inning. Wrighte started the rally by reaching on a bunt single. Hunter Smith followed with a double into the center field gap, scoring Wrighte from first and cutting the deficit to 8-5.
 
Junior Nick Brown was saddled with his fourth loss of the season. He tossed five innings allowing eight runs on 11 hits. Senior Mitchell Aker and sophomore Charlie Fletcher combined to pitch the final three innings scoreless.
 
Aaron Hoover picked up his fourth win of the season, tossing seven innings allowing four runs on eight hits and picked up five strikeouts. Ben Garner was credited with his fourth save of the season tossing a perfect ninth inning. Offensively, Parrot led the Dukes with three RBI and a pair of hits.
 
The Green and Gold and Dukes continue their series tomorrow, Saturday, April 16, with a 4 p.m. first pitch. The series concludes on Sunday, April 17 with a 2 p.m. first pitch.