SOFTBALL SHUTS OUT FAIRFIELD 8-0

Saturday, February 27

Chapel Hill, N.C.

1:30 p.m.

James Madison University

4-3

Fairfield

1-2

Fairfield

James Madison

2/27/2010 9:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Feb. 27, 2010 - Freshman right-hander Cara Stecher (New Castle, Del./Caravel Academy) threw her first career shutout and senior first baseman Shannon Moxey (Church Road, Va./Mills Godwin) went 2-for-3 with three RBI, as James Madison softball defeated Fairfield 8-0 at Anderson Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Saturday.

JMU improved to 1-1 in the Tar Heel Invitational and 4-3 overall, while Fairfield dropped to 1-2 on the season.

Stecher allowed just four base runners in six innings, giving up three hits and one walk, while striking out one on her way to improving to 3-2. She became the second Dukes' pitcher this season to pick up her first career shutout, joining fellow freshman Heather Dindinger (Riner, Va./Auburn) in that feat.

Moxey paced the Madison offense on the day, picking up two hits, two runs, three RBI, a walk and a stolen base. Sophomore shortstop Ashley Burnham (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) set the table as the leadoff hitter, reaching base and scoring three times.

The Dukes jumped out to a quick lead in the bottom of the first inning as Burnham led off the inning with a double down the line in left. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by freshman center fielder Jasmine Butler (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange) and scored on a fielder's choice by Moxey, beating the Stag second baseman Jessica Stand's throw home. JMU loaded the bases with two outs on a pair of walks allowing freshman catcher Megan Shinaberry (Davie, Fla./McCarthy) to pick up her first career RBI on an infield single.

Moxey extended JMU's lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second inning with a two-run double to left-center. Burnham started the rally with a one-out walk and moved to second on a bunt single by Butler, before taking third on the throw to first. Butler took advantage of the confusion to move up to second without a throw from the Fairfield defense.

Madison added two more runs to its lead in the fourth inning, loading the bases on a walk and two hit batsmen. Sophomore designated player Casey Mansfield (Suffolk, Va./Isle of Wight Academy) followed with a single to left, plating two.

Senior right fielder