Cougars Walk Off With Series Win Over JMU, 10-9

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. --- College of Charleston scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to erase a three-run deficit and walk off with a 10-9 series-clinching victory over James Madison in a back-and-forth CAA battle on Saturday afternoon at Patriots Point.

LEADING OFF

Final Score: College of Charleston 10, James Madison 9

Location: Mt. Pleasant, S.C. (Patriots Point)

Records: Charleston (18-12, 6-2 CAA), James Madison (17-13, 4-4 CAA)

HOW IT HAPPENED

James Madison struck first with a two-run single by Kyle Novak in the top of the third to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Cougars countered with a four-spot in the home half to pull ahead, 4-2, on a sac fly from JT Marr and an RBI single by Cole Mathis.
A solo homer by Travis Reifsnider, followed by another single from Novak, put the Dukes back in front, 5-4, in the fourth.
Charleston countered with two in the sixth tying the score at 5-5 on a triple from Sam Cochrane before Tyler Sorrentino drove him in with a bouncer to short to put the Cougars ahead, 6-5.
James Madison answered once again in the next half inning, scoring four runs to open a 9-6 advantage on a single from Trevon Dabney.
The Cougars refused to give in, cutting the deficit to 9-7 with one down in the ninth before Cam Dean tied it up with a two-run single past the third baseman.
Cochrane then delivered the decisive hit with a flare to center to allow the pinch-runner McLendon Sears to score the winning run from second.

KEY COUGARS

Cochrane reached base four times in a 3-for-4 with two singles, a triple, a walk, two runs scored and three RBI to pace the offense.
Dean and Harlan each finished with three hits as well driving in two and one runs, respectively.
Harlan, Marr, Mathis, Sorrentino and Luke Wood each chipped in one RBI.
Junior Emmett Bice spun two scoreless innings in relief to earn his first collegiate win.

FOR THE NOTEBOOK

With the win, Charleston remains tied with William & Mary for first in the CAA standings with identical 6-2 marks.
Marr has now reached base in 28 of the first 30 games this season.
Mathis’ run-scoring single in the third was the first hit of his collegiate career.
The Cougars converted four of six opportunities with a runner on third and less than two outs.
Charleston held the Dukes to a 5-for-19 afternoon with runners in scoring position.

NEXT UP

The Cougars and Dukes will meet in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Patriots Point.