JMU Defeats Delaware 8-0 and 6-5 in Series Opener

Saturday, April 23

Harrisonburg, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

38-3, 0

Delaware

26-15, 0

Delaware

James Madison

4/23/2016 8:16:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HARRISONBURG, Va. – No. 6 James Madison took down Delaware twice in Saturday's Colonial Athletic Association softball doubleheader with an 8-0 five-inning win, followed by a 6-5 walk-off triumph at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Dukes improved to 39-3 and remained undefeated in the CAA at 14-0 while the Blue Hens fell to 26-16 and 8-6.

Sophomore Megan Good (25-2) earned both wins on the day with a complete-game performance in game one's run-rule victory. Good was called upon in relief for senior Jailyn Ford in the top of the seventh and earned the decision when JMU scored a run in the bottom half.

In game one, JMU led 1-0 after three, but a six-run fourth gave the Dukes control. Good sparked the surge with a triple to right, scoring sophomore infielder Morgan Tolle. Junior outfielder Taylor Newton ripped an RBI single up the middle and sophomore designated player Jessica Mrozek followed suit with an RBI single to left. Senior catcher Erica Field and Tolle both drew bases-loaded walks for the final two runs of the inning.

Ford ended the game with a solo home run over the wall in center to lift the Dukes to an 8-0 run-rule decision.

In game two, James Madison took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third with an RBI single from Ford and a two-run homer from Newton. The Dukes added a run each in both the fourth and fifth innings with a solo shot from senior outfielder Hannah Hayes and a run by Ford on a throwing error, giving the Dukes a 5-2 lead.

The Blue Hens tied it up with a three runs in the top of the seventh as Good entered the circle for the Dukes, replacing Ford. Delaware hit an RBI single to center for the only hit of the inning while scoring the other two off errors.

Good led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple to center field. Delaware intentionally walked Ford and Newton to get to junior infielder Niki Prince. Prince was hit by a pitch bringing in freshman pinch runner Jenny Behan home for the walk-off win.

UP NEXT
The Dukes return to Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday, April 24 for the series finale against the Blue Hens. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS
- Megan Good led JMU with two triples on the day bringing her career total to three.
- Taylor Newton recorded a team-high three RBIs, including one home run.
- Jailyn Ford went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run.

CAREER CHARTS
With the start in the circle in game two, Jailyn Ford is now tied for first on the all-time appearances list with 129.
Field, Ford and Hayes are now tied for second on the JMU all-time career games started charts with 219. They are just one away from tying with Caitlin Sandy in first with 220.

TWEETS OF THE DAY