JMU Softball Splits Doubleheader with Drexel

Friday, May 6

Harrisonburg, Va.

1:00 p.m.

James Madison University

27-23, 6-12

Drexel

15-26, 7-12

Drexel

James Madison

5/6/2011 10:27:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HARRISONBURG, Va., May 6, 2011 – Senior catcher Katie Spitzer (Broadway, Va./Broadway) went 6-for-7 with two doubles, two home runs and four RBIs to lead the James Madison softball team to a doubleheader split against Drexel at Veterans Memorial Park on Friday. The teams traded 9-3 decisions with Drexel winning game one and JMU taking the nightcap.

The Dukes improved 28-23 on the season and 7-12 in Colonial Athletic Association play while the Dragons ran their record to 15-27 and 7-13 in league play.

In game two, freshman pitcher Brittany Jeans (Camano Island, Wash./Stanwood) went the distance to earn the win and improve to 7-9. She allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits and three walks while striking out three.

Shelby Taylor took the loss to drop to 4-12 for Drexel. She gave up six run on seven hits and a walk in two innings of relief. Hillary Allen allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk in four innings of relief while Shyann Beach lasted just two five pitches in the start. She walked a batter and threw three illegal pitches before being lifted for Taylor.

Spitzer led the way for JMU offensively in game two, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. She went 4-for-4 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored and three RBIs. Junior second baseman Caitlen Manning (Prince George, Va./Prince George) went 2-for-4 with a home run, a run and two RBIs while sophomore right fielder Lori Botkin (Manassas, Va./Osbourn) doubled three times and drove in two.

Catcher Paige Collings went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to lead Drexel while first baseman Jenn Reading homered in three at-bats. Designated player Kelly Downes added two hits in three trips to the plate.

The Dragons struck for two runs in the top of the first to jump out to an early lead. They loaded the bases on a walk, a fielding error and an infield single before Collings ripped a two-run single through the hole in the left side.

The Dukes got both runs back in the bottom of the second as Spitzer led off the inning with a double to right-center. She moved to second on a single up the middle by sophomore center fielder Jasmine Butler (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange) and scored on a wild pitch. After the wild pitch, the game was delayed 45 minutes by lightning. Botkin opened play following the delay with a double off the fence in left, scoring Butler and tying the game at 2-2.

The Dukes bats exploded for three straight home runs in the bottom of the third inning to open up a 6-2 lead. After freshman third baseman Caitlin Sandy (Fayetteville, N.C./Jack Britt) led off the inning with a single, Manning hit a two-run shot to dead center field for a 4-2 lead. Sophomore first baseman