Baseball Underclassmen Power Cavs Past Dukes 13-2

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May 15, 1999

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Sophomore first baseman Jon Benick drove in a career-high six runs with four hits and freshman David Stone set a school record during his four-hit effort as Virginia downed James Madison 13-2 Saturday night. The game was played at Veterans’ Memorial Stadium at Harrisonburg High School.

The Cavaliers, who have won nine of the last 10 in this series, improved to 20-33 overall. The Dukes fell to 21-32-1. The two teams will meet again Sunday at 1 p.m. in Charlottesville to close out their regular season schedules.

Benick, a transfer from Auburn, had a pair of RBI-doubles, an RBI-single, and capped off his evening with a three-run homer. His nine total bases was also a career best. Stone’s first hit of the night, an RBI-double in the third inning, was his 60th of the season and established a Virginia record for hits by a freshman. He finished with a pair of doubles and goes into the regular-season finale with 64 hits.

A trio of Cavalier pitchers scattered eight JMU hits and struck out 11. Casey Kennedy, the starter in the prearranged plan to use three pitchers, was the winner and improved his mark to 4-5. He allowed three hits and fanned three. Brandon Creswell worked the middle third, allowing the two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out five. Kevin Shrout tossed the final three frames and gave up just two hits and a walk while fanning three.

JMU senior Kevin Razler accounted for the Dukes’ two runs as he connected for his sixth homer of the season with a man on in the sixth. It was Razler’s 280th career hit, breaking the JMU record held by Jeff Garber (1985-88).

Seniors Bryan Johnson and Nate Turner each collected a pair of hits in their final home game as a Duke. Sophomore Greg Miller had his hitting streak snapped at 21 games. He had a 26-game streak earlier this season.

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Batteries: Kennedy, Creswell (4), Shrout (7) and Rueffert. Ott, White (8), DeHart (9) and Razler. WP – Kennedy (4-5). LP – Ott (2-8). S – none.

HR: V – Benick, two on in 8th (10) J – Razler, one on in 6th (6).