NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — The Old Dominion Monarchs defeated the James Madison Dukes 10-0 on Friday afternoon at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex, securing a decisive victory in a Sun Belt Conference matchup.

Old Dominion jumped ahead early and never looked back, capitalizing on a five-run second inning and an eight-run fifth to put the game out of reach. The Monarchs improved to 29-24 overall, while the Dukes fell to 20-31.

The game’s pivotal moment came in the bottom of the fifth inning. With the score already 2-0, Old Dominion extended its lead when Efrain Morales doubled to right-center, scoring Young from first base. Zach Leite followed with a single up the middle, plating Morales for a 4-0 advantage. After a strikeout, Luke Zedalis doubled to left field, putting runners at second and third. Dye walked to load the bases. Ike then launched a grand slam to right-center, clearing the bases and pushing the lead to 8-0. The Monarchs added two more runs in the eighth inning on a double by Leite.

James Madison’s offense struggled to generate momentum against Old Dominion pitching. The Dukes managed only five hits in the contest and were shut out for the second time in three games, following a 10-0 loss to Georgia State on April 11. James Madison had lost four of its last five games entering Friday, including a 5-1 defeat to Old Dominion in the series opener on May 14.

Old Dominion starter J.J. Gatti earned the win, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out six. He did not issue a walk. Gatti had allowed three earned runs in four innings in his previous start at Coastal Carolina on May 9, but rebounded with a dominant performance against the Dukes.

Kellen Davis followed with two shutout innings, giving up two hits and striking out two. Ben Tanton closed with a perfect ninth inning, striking out two. The Monarchs’ bullpen combined for four innings of scoreless relief.

James Madison used five pitchers in the game. Griffin Madden was the most effective, throwing 2 1/3 innings, allowing no hits and one earned run while striking out three. The Dukes’ pitching staff struggled with control, issuing seven walks and hitting four batters. Trey Campos took the loss after allowing one earned run without recording an out in the eighth inning.

Old Dominion’s offense was led by Leite, who went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBIs. Ike finished 1-for-3 with a grand slam and four RBIs. Zedalis added a double and scored a run. Morales drove in one run and reached base three times via two hit-by-pitches and a double.

James Madison’s offense was limited to singles by Haesler, Guerrero, Moody and Thompson, plus a double by Haesler in the third inning. The Dukes left four runners on base and struck out 10 times.

The series continues Saturday at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. Old Dominion has now won five of its last six games, while James Madison has lost four of five.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Old Dominion 6, James Madison 3, and the ELO system gave the Monarchs a 64.00 percent probability to win.