Powerful Offense Sends JMU Past Morehead State, Campbell

Sunday, February 18

BUIES CREEK, N.C.

11:00 A.M.

James Madison University

4-2

Morehead State

6-2

Morehead State

James Madison

Powerful Offense Sends JMU Past Morehead State, Campbell

2/18/2018 6:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The James Madison Softball team posted 16 runs over two games to move to 5-2 overall as they defeated Morehead State 8-0 (5 innings) and Campbell 8-7 on Sunday afternoon in Buies Creek, N.C.

GAME ONE – MOREHEAD STATE

Sophomore Odicci Alexander earned the victory in the circle pitching all five innings only allowing two hits while striking out eight over 17 batters faced.
Morgan Tolle led the Dukes at the plate going 3-for-4 with one RBI while scoring twice.
The Dukes offense came alive early, scoring four in the bottom of the first after three singles and a double. Tolle had a lead-off single down the right field line, followed by Cambry Arnold who laid down a bunt to get to first. Alexander would then single up the middle to load the bases.
Senior Jessica Mrozek popped up to second but the ball lingered long enough for Tolle to make home to put the Dukes on the board.
Kate Gordon followed with a single to right field to advance the runners, where she was credited with an RBI after sending Arnold home.
Freshman short stop, Sara Jubas popped up to second but earned and RBI as Alexander had room to score.
Kristin Roadcap doubled through the left side to send Gordon home. Michella Pellegrino came in to pinch run but would end up stranded as Ashley Samuels popped up to first base to end the inning.
Alexander added to the lead in the bottom of the second as she hit a 2 RBI double to center field that sent Tolle and Arnold home who reached on a double and single, respectively.
Gordon answered with her second hit of the day, this time a double to right center which sent Alexander home to extend the Dukes lead to 7-0.
Morehead State picked up their first hit of the game in the top of the fourth with a single through the left side, but Alexander would strike out the next batter swinging for the third out.
The Eagles would find a hole in the left field that was good enough for a double an inning later, but a strikeout and a ground out would keep them off the board.
Roadcap hit a double to center field to lead off in the bottom of the fifth and would eventually come around to score after Tolle hit a double to left field to seal the five inning victory for the Dukes.

GAME TWO – CAMPBELL

The Dukes came out of the gate strong with a double from Tolle to left field. She would come around to score off a sacrifice fly from Alexander to get on the board first.
Gordon followed with her first home run of the season to left field to give the Dukes a 2-0 advance to start the game.
Campbell would quickly answer with a double to left center and would capitalize on a fielding and throwing error to get on the board in the bottom of the first.
The Dukes couldn't get anything going on offense the second time up to bat and would soon see their lead slip away as the Camels hit a double, single and home run in the bottom of the second to take the lead 5-2.
Junior Paige Mitchell hit a double to right field to open the third as the Dukes tried to rally back. They would only score one after no one else could find a way on base.
The Dukes made a pitching switch in bottom of the third inning as Alexander came in as relief for freshman pitcher Payton Buresch. Alexander had runners on the corners and would strike out the next three batters to get Dukes off the field.
Campbell extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth as the first batter up was walked before Alexander would give up a two-run home run down the left field line to give the Camels a 7-3 advantage.
The Dukes couldn't find a rhythm until the top of the sixth were Gordon led things off with a triple down the left field line.
Jubas would hit her first home run on the season and would bring the Dukes within two.
The Dukes would load the bases after a wild pitch, hit by pitch and a walk that would eventually lead to a scoring run.
JMU would score their final two runs in the top of the seventh after two sacrifice flies sent batters home.
Campbell would look for an answer in the bottom of the seventh, but Alexander came in clutch with three strikeouts to seal the come from behind win for the Dukes.
Alexander would pick up the win in the circle after pitching five innings only allowing one hit on two runs while striking out 12. The sophomore moves to 4-1 on the year.

QUOTING COACH LAPORTE
"I was pleased with the way we came out offensively today. I knew our bats were strong and the girls proved that today with 16 total runs. There were a few errors on defense that we have to clean up, but we are starting to hit a stride on both sides of the ball. I am proud of the way Odicci pitched all day, finishing with 20 strikeouts and came in for Payton in a difficult situation but didn't back down from the challenge."

UP NEXT
The Dukes head to the sunshine state to compete in the Green & Gold Classic at Jacksonville University. JMU will kick off the weekend with a noon matchup on Saturday, Feb. 24 against UCF followed by a 5 p.m. contest against the Dolphins.