NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — Darin Kuskie pitched five innings of two-hit ball, striking out six and allowing one earned run, as Old Dominion beat James Madison 5-1 on Thursday at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex in a Sun Belt matchup.

The Monarchs improved to 28-24, while the Dukes fell to 20-30.

Old Dominion struck early. In the bottom of the first, a fielder’s choice and a groundout pushed across two runs. The Monarchs added a run in the second on a double play that scored Tyler Zedalis.

James Madison’s Clay Thompson singled home a run in the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-1, but Old Dominion answered in the bottom half. Will Johnson singled home a run, and Scotty Young added a sacrifice bunt for another RBI to make it 5-1.

Relievers Bailey Matela and Patrick Johnson held the Dukes hitless over the final four innings; Matela struck out six in 3 1/3 innings.

James Madison starter Holden McKinney threw 4 2/3 hitless innings with four strikeouts but did not factor in the decision. The teams play again Friday.