TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - James Madison exploded for eight runs in the fifth inning to open its play at the Easton Bama Bash with an 11-1 run-rule victory over Lipscomb on Friday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium.
Junior left fielderÂ
Hannah Hayes ended the game in a rare way as she hit an inside-the-park grand slam to put the Dukes (4-2) up by more than enough to end the game with the run rule. Hayes, who went 2-for-4 with four RBI, hit a fly ball to right field and Lipscomb's right fielder went to make a diving play, missing the catch, and by the time a Bison reached the ball in foul territory, Hayes was already rounding third, headed for the plate.
It was part of JMU's eight-run fifth inning, which was the most runs scored in a single inning since tallying nine at home against Towson back on April, 5, 2014. The win was also its first by double digits since a 10-0 triumph over Delaware on April 26, 2014.
Freshman pitcherÂ
Megan Good pitched five innings, allowing just one unearned run and two hits, while striking out nine batters as she improved to 2-0 on the young season. She also excelled from the plate, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBI. Aside from Good's and Hayes' multi-hit games, three other JMU players finished 2-for-3 in junior catcherÂ
Erica Field, sophomore center fielderÂ
Taylor Newton and sophomore third basemanÂ
Madyson Moran.Â
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The Dukes hit .481 (13-27) as a team, the highest since batting .571 (12-21), which occurred in the same game that JMU last won by double digits against UD. JMU also drew six walks and stole a season-high five bases.
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Madison opened the scoring in the first, when junior first baseman
Jailyn Ford belted a two-run home run to right center, her first of the year and the 25th of her career, to put JMU ahead 2-0.
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After both teams tacked on a run apiece innings later, every batter in JMU's lineup made an appearance at the plate in the fifth inning to eventually end the game. After Moran drove in a run, sophomore short stop
Niki Prince drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 5-1. Good followed that up with a two-RBI single to the right side to extend the advantage to 7-1 and after Newton walked to once again load the bases, Hayes won the game with her grand slam.
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Taking the loss for Lipscomb was Kelly Young (2-3), who give up seven earned runs, 11 hits and four walks in 4.1 innings.
The Dukes' second game of the day against No. 3 Alabama, which was scheduled for 7 p.m., was cancelled due to rain and will not be made up.
JMU resumes play on Saturday at 5 p.m. when it takes on 'Bama on ESPN 3 and SEC Network Plus. To watch the game live,Â
CLICK HERE. The Dukes will also take on Lipscomb again, immediately following that game at 7 p.m.
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