JMU SOFTBALL EARNS A SPLIT IN CHARLOTTE ON DAY TWO

Saturday, February 26

Charlotte, N.C.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

6-3

Robert Morris

2-2

Robert Morris

James Madison

2/26/2011 9:47:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 26, 2011 – James Madison came back from a pair of two-run deficits, but ultimately finished Saturday with a 1-1 record in the Charlotte Green and White Classic. The Dukes won game one 3-2 over Charlotte before dropping a 3-2 decision to Robert Morris in game two.

JMU ran its record to 3-1 in the tournament and 6-3 on the season. Charlotte dropped to 6-7 while RMU improved to 2-2.

In game two, Alexa Bryson limited Madison to two runs on seven hits to earn her first win of the season. The right-hander walked one and struck out five in seven innings of work.

Senior pitcher Olivia McPherson (Liberty, N.C./Southern Alamance) allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits and two walks to take the loss. She struck out three to drop to 3-1 on the season. Freshman right-hander Brittany Jeans (Camano Island, Wash./Stanwood) allowed two hits in one inning of relief.

Junior shortstop Ashley Burnham (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk to lead the Dukes' offense. Redshirt senior left fielder Chel'sea Ryan (Sandston, Va./Henrico) went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Center fielder Jaci Timko went 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI for the Colonials. First baseman Chelsea Siar went 2-for-2 with a walk while third baseman Britta Grafton added two hits and an RBI.

Timko got RMU off to a quick start with a run in the top of the first. She led off the game with a single up the middle before stealing second and moving to third on a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Grafton singled to center to plate Timko.

The Colonials added to their lead with a run in the top of the fourth. Catcher Kayla Crooks reached second on a two-base error by sophomore center fielder Jasmine Butler (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange) with one out. Three batters later, senior catcher Katie Spitzer (Broadway, Va./Broadway) added a second JMU error to score Crooks.

Ryan delivered a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the fifth to even the score. Butler and freshman third baseman Caitlin Sandy (Fayetteville, N.C./Jack Britt) started the rally with back-to-back one-out singles. After a ground-out, Ryan singled to left field to plate both runners.

Robert Morris broke up the tie in the top of the seventh inning. Right fielder Chelsea Evans led off the frame with a walk to chase McPherson from the game in favor of Jeans. Evans moved to second on a ground-out and third on a wild pitch before Timko singled up the middle for the winning run.