James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
James Madison University
Liberty
DUKES SPLIT SOFTBALL DOUBLEHEADER WITH LIBERTY
4/4/2007 4:00:00 AM | Softball
George gave the host Dukes a 5-2 lead with a three-run homer in the fourth inning of the opener, and JMU sophomore right-hander Meredith Felts (Greenville, N.C./J.H. Rose) snuffed out a two-run, two-out, seventh-inning Liberty rally with the potential tying at the plate.
In the second game, Jefferson's two-run homer gave the Flames a 4-2 advantage in the fourth, and they held on behind 3 2/3 innings of shutout relief by sophomore right-hander Sarah Ellis (Perry, N.Y./Perry Central).
The split left JMU with a 19-14 record and Liberty with a 22-15 mark.
Liberty scored twice after having two outs and no one on base in the seventh inning of the opener, but Felts came on to get sophomore first baseman Beth Bennett (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) to ground out to end the game.
Felts, who posted her first save of the season, relieved freshman left-hander Branden Moss (Richmond, Va./Trinity Episcopal). Moss, who improved to 4-5, worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits while fanning five and walking one.
George's fourth-inning homer followed a double by sophomore catcher Julia Dominguez (Sterling, Va./Park View) and a single by senior first baseman Sally Smith (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis).
The Dukes also got a two-run homer from freshman center fielder Courtney Simons (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) in the third inning and an RBI single from Dominguez in the fifth.
Junior designated player Jenn Chevez (Upland, Calif./Upland) had three singles and Dominguez, sophomore third baseman Amber Kirk (Hamilton, Va./Loudoun County) and Simons two hits each for JMU.
Senior center fielder Jessica Moss (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) had three hits and scored twice for Liberty.
In the second game, Ellis allowed only two hits while striking out three and walking but one in earning the win.
Jefferson's homer came after JMU erased a 2-0 first-inning Liberty lead by scoring once in each of the first two innings.
The Dukes got an RBI single from sophomore designated player Jenny Clohan (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) in the first, a sacrifice fly from freshman right fielder Brittney Dyson (Waldorf, Md./Thomas Stone) in the second, and a solo homer from Simons in the fourth but couldn't score again.
JMU left a runner on in the fourth, had a runner at third with one out in the sixth and stranded runners at first and third in the seventh.
Simons and freshman second baseman Brittney Lyddane (Manassas, Va./Osbourn Park) each had two hits for JMU.
Sophomore third baseman Courtney Johnson (Concord, Calif./Berean Christian) was the only Liberty player with two hits, but the Flames did get a first-pitch homer from senior second baseman Dawn Jeffs (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) to start the game.
JMU plays a three-game weekend series at George Mason.
Game 1
Liberty 001 100 2 ? 4 10 3
JMU 002 310 x ? 6 12 1
Ellis, Wheeler 4), Swor (5) and Williams. Moss, Felts (7) and Dominguez. W ? Moss 4-5. Sv ? Felts (1). L ? Ellis 8-6. HR ? LU: McKain, 7th, 0 on (4). JMU: Simons, 3rd, 1 on (3); George, 4th, 2 on (3).
Game 2
Liberty 200 201 0 ? 5 6 1
JMU 110 100 0 ? 3 7 2
Lowe, Ellis (4) and Williams. Bounds, Felts (5) and Dominguez. W ? Ellis 9-6. L ? Bounds 0-1.
