Connor Panas led the team with two hits and two runs batted in, but the Griffs fell to James Madison in the opening game of the four-game set, 7-5, in Harrisonburg, Va., on Saturday afternoon. The Dukes broke a tie score in the bottom of the fourth inning and never looked back, as Canisius dropped to 5-6, while the Dukes improved to 5-4.

The Blue and Gold overcame a 5-1 deficit early on, thanks to a four-run top of the fourth, which started with a Panas homerun. Later in the inning Brett Siddall singled, and Jack Massa moved him to second with a single of his own. Anthony Massicci doubled home a run to make it 5-4, and then Jake Lumley knotted the game up moments later as he singled to right field as Massicci scored.

The tie score lasted a half inning as Chad Carroll recorded a leadoff triple and several batters later, Ky Parrott grounded out to second and Carroll scored the go-ahead run.

JMU went on to score another run in the bottom of the sixth as Parrott knocked in another RBI to make it 7-5.

The Griffs belted 12 hits in the loss, while the Dukes managed 11. Devon Stewart got the start for Canisius as he went four innings and gave up six hits and up six earned runs, while striking out six. Brandon Bielecki pitched four innings of relief and surrendered five hits and one earned run to go with five strikeouts.

Aaron Hoover went the full nine for the victory for the Dukes as he allowed 12 hits, five earned runs and fanned five in the win.

The Griffs are back at it tomorrow when they play JMU in a doubleheader beginning at noon and continuing at 3 p.m. They then wrap up the series on Monday with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.