JMU DROPS NON-CONFERENCE DOUBLEHEADER AT LIBERTY

Wednesday, April 14

Lynchburg, Va.

2:00 p.m.

James Madison University

16-25

Liberty

22-11

James Madison

Liberty

4/14/2010 9:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LYNCHBURG, Va., April 14, 2010 - Kelly Strickland hit two home runs and Tiffany Smith picked up a win and a save to lead Liberty to a doubleheader sweep over James Madison in non-conference softball action at the Liberty Softball Field in Lynchburg, Va. on Wednesday.

LU improved to 5-1 in its last six games to run its record to 23-11. JMU's losing streak extends to seven games, dropping the Dukes to 16-26.

Smith picked the win in game two, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 10. She improved to 13-3 with the complete-game effort.

Freshman right-hander Cara Stecher (New Castle, Del./Caravel Academy) receives the loss after giving up two runs on four hits in three innings. She lost her fifth straight decision, falling to 8-10 this season. Junior Olivia McPherson (Liberty, N.C./Southern Alamance) and freshman Heather Dindinger (Riner, Va./Auburn) combined to give up four runs on six hits in two innings of relief. Junior right-hander Heather Widner (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Ready) gave up one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief.

Strickland went 1-for-2 with a homer and two RBIs while left fielder Meredith Baisden had two hits, a home run and two RBIs to power the Liberty offense. Designated player Ashley Bensinger chipped in with a 2-for-3 day, a double and two RBIs.

JMU got home runs for junior catcher Katie Spitzer (Broadway, Va./Broadway) and senior right fielder Courtney Simons (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) while sophomore pinch hitter Michelle Clohan (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) walked and scored a run.

Strickland's second home run of the day, a two-run shot to the opposite field, opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth. Bensinger scored on the sophomore's 12th homer of the year after leading off the inning with a single.

Liberty added two runs to its lead in the fifth. Second baseman Cassie Hendrix and third baseman J'nae Jefferson started the inning with back-to-back singles before moving up a base on a sacrifice bunt. Bensinger plated both runners with a double to left center to open up a 4-0 advantage.