NORFOLK (Interstat) — Old Dominion defeated James Madison 5-1 on Thursday night at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex, taking the opener of a three-game Sun Belt series behind a strong start from Darin Kuskie and a dominant relief performance.

The Monarchs struck in the bottom of the first inning. Will Johnson singled to left center and advanced to second on a bunt single by Scotty Young. A single by Morales loaded the bases, and Leite grounded out to second base to score Johnson. Stallings followed with a groundout to short, plating Young and giving Old Dominion a 2-0 lead.

Old Dominion added a run in the second. Tyler Zedalis doubled to right center and moved to third on a single by Dye. After Felton walked to load the bases, Johnson grounded into a double play, but Zedalis scored on the play, extending the lead to 3-0.

James Madison finally broke through in the top of the fourth. With one out, Moody singled through the left side and stole second. Two batters later, Clay Thompson singled through the left side to drive in Moody, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

The Monarchs answered immediately in the bottom of the fourth. Dye singled, Felton bunted for a hit, and a pitching change brought Holden McKinney in for James Madison starter Patrick Bauer. Will Johnson greeted McKinney with a single up the middle, scoring Dye and sending Felton to third. Young then laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher, scoring Felton and pushing the lead to 5-1.

McKinney settled in and retired 14 of the 15 batters he faced, striking out four and allowing no hits over 4.2 innings. But the Dukes’ offense could not solve Old Dominion’s bullpen.

Kuskie earned the win, allowing one earned run on two hits over five innings. He struck out six and walked none. Bailey Matela followed with 3.1 hitless innings, striking out six. Patrick Johnson recorded two outs and allowed three hits but no earned runs.

Bauer took the loss. He allowed five earned runs on no hits over 3.1 innings, though he walked three and hit a batter. The Dukes’ defense committed two errors, including two miscues by shortstop Will Johnson of the Monarchs, but neither led to runs.

Clay Thompson led James Madison with two hits and the lone RBI. Moody added two hits and a stolen base. For Old Dominion, Will Johnson had two hits and an RBI, while Maverick Stallings, Scotty Young and Leite each drove in a run.

James Madison fell to 20-30, extending its losing streak to five games. Old Dominion improved to 28-24 and has won three straight.

The series continues Friday and Saturday at Bud Metheny.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a 6-3 win for Old Dominion, and its ELO system gave the Monarchs a 63.20 percent probability of winning.