WILMINGTON, North Carolina - Reliever Ricky Holden gave the Seahawks four strong innings out of the bullpen allowing UNCW to rally for an 8-7 win over James Madison to win the series on Saturday in Colonial Athletic Association baseball action at Brooks Field.

The Seahawks improved to 5-9 and 2-0 in the CAA. The Dukes, meanwhile, dropped their fourth straight and fell to 5-10-1 and 0-2.

Neither starter was effective as the teams combined for 11 runs in the first five innings with the Seahawks scoring twice in the fifth to take a 6-5 lead.

Holden, who picked up his first career save, struck out three in a career-long four inning relief stint of UNCW starter Mat Batts (1-2). Batts picked up his first win of the season and fanned six over five innings.

JMU reliever Michael Howerton (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing both runs in the fifth.

Trailing 5-4 in the fifth, the Seahawks rallied with two out to take the lead. Hunter Ridge, who finished with three hits, doubled and moved to third on a balk. Thomas Pope followed with a triple to center and scored one batter later on a wild pitch by Howerton for a 6-5 lead.

UNCW added to its lead in the seventh on a two-out, two-run double to right by Jake Koenig.

The Seahawks would need those runs as the Dukes cut their deficit to 8-7 in the ninth on a two-run single off the bat of Colby Roberts. Holden settled down and recorded the final out on a foul out to the catcher to end the game.

Matt Campbell and Ridge both finished with three hits on the afternoon and Michael Bass drove in three runs on the strength of a double and single.

Connor Brown led a 14-hit JMU attack with three hits and a pair of RBI, while Cole McInturff and Ian Haynes added two hits and two RBI apiece.

The series concludes on Sunday with a 2 p.m. start.