CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Jake Lowery homered and drove in three runs to lead James Madison past Florida International 11-7 on Friday in the opening game at the Chapel Hill Regional.
David Herbek finished with two RBIs and drove in the go-ahead run during a six-run seventh inning that put the third-seeded Dukes (41-17) ahead for good.
Lowery, the Colonial Athletic Association’s player of the year, finished 3 for 4, while Matt Tenaglia drove in two runs for James Madison, which extended the nation’s longest active winning streak to 10.
Five players homered for second-seeded FIU (40-19-1): Garrett Wittels, Jabari Henry, Pablo Bermudez, Yoandy Barroso and Mike Martinez. The Panthers had lost only twice in their previous 23 games.
D.J. Brown (9-1) relieved starter Sean Tierney in the second and struck out five in 7 1-3 innings for the win.
