February 19, 1999

MIAMI, Fla. – Junior shortstop Brant Ust went 3-for-3 with a homer and senior right-hander Alex Shilliday allowed four hits through seven innings to lead Notre Dame to an 8-4 victory over James Madison in non-conference baseball earlier today at Florida International Stadium. The Irish opened their season while the Dukes fell to 0-2.

Notre Dame catcher Paul O’Toole and right fielder Jeff Perconte hit back-to-back doubles to start the fifth inning and snap a 2-2 tie. Perconte went on the score on a groundout, and Ust hit a solo homer to left field to give the Irish a 5-2 lead. O’Toole highlighted Notre Dame’s three-run sixth inning with a two-run double.

Shilliday (1-0) struck out eight and walked one while scattering five hits.

Junior first baseman Jason Matthews homered for JMU. Junior second baseman T Riley went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs scored.

JMU 110 001 010  4   5   2NSU 200 033 00x  8  11   1

Batteries: JMU – DeHart, Ebaugh (6), Cornwell (7) and McKernan. ND – Shilliday, Cooke (8) and O’Toole, Drevline (8).
WP – Shilliday (0-0).
LP – DeHart (0-1).
S – None.
HR: JMU – Matthews, none on in 2nd (1); ND – Ust, none on in 5th (1).