Dukes Grind Out Wins Over UCF, Jacksonville

Saturday, February 24

Jacksonville, Fla.

Noon

James Madison University

6-2

UCF

7-6

Central Florida

James Madison

2/24/2018 3:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 UCF Box Score Jacksonville Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The James Madison softball team defeated UCF 3-2 on Saturday afternoon to open the Green & Gold Classic in Jacksonville, Fla., before defeating the host Jacksonville University 5-2 on Saturday evening.

The Dukes are now 7-2 on the season while both UCF and Jacksonville fell to 7-6.

GAME ONE - UCF

Sophomore Odicci Alexander (5-1) earned the victory in the circle after pitching four innings, giving up two runs on three hits before freshman Payton Buresch closed out the game for the save after throwing three innings only allowing two hits and no runs while striking out two.
Morgan Tolle opened up the game with a double to right center. The next three batters walked to send Tolle home to put the Dukes on the board first.
Freshman Sara Jubas followed with a single to right center which had enough heat for the runners to tag up and Cambry Arnold came home.
UCF answered with a two-run home run over the left field wall to tie the game in the top of the second inning.
The bats didn't slow down for the Dukes as Madison Naujokas singled to the shortstop but beat the throw to first. She would come around to score after a single up the middle from Alexander that would prove to be the game winner.

GAME TWO – JACKSONVILLE

Buresch (3-1) pitched four complete innings and faced 18 batters only allowing two runs, both unearned, on four hits while striking out two. Alexander was credited with the save as she came in as relief in the fifth inning, she faced nine batters and struck out five of them.
The Dukes opened up the game strong, plating three runs in the top of the first inning.
Alexander hit a double to right center which sent Arnold home who reached base on an error.
Sophomore Kate Gordon launched a ball over the right field wall to pick up a 2-RBI home run, which put the Dukes up 3-0.
Jacksonville couldn't find an answer till the bottom of the second when they hit a single to right field that sent a runner home who had reached on an error.
In the top of the fifth, Gordon singles to left field and would advance on a sacrifice bunt from Jubas. Sophomore Kierstin Roadcap launched a single down the right field line to advance Gordon to third.
Freshman Hannah File reached on a fielder's choice after a muffed ball by the Dolphins and she would find herself on third which allowed Gordon and pinch runner Michelle Pellegrino to score to put the Dukes up 5-2.
The Dolphins found themselves with two runners on base after an error and a single and the Dukes would make a pitching change. Jacksonville put up a sacrifice fly to left field allowing one runner to score.
Freshman Lynsey Meeks came in to pinch hit and launched a single down the left field line, to record her first collegiate hit.

QUOTING COACH LAPORTE
"Any day that you can walk away with two wins is a good day. We had to stick with it and play gritty today. We did make some mistakes that we won't always be able to afford and we have to learn from those moments. I was proud of the adjustments we made from game one to game two, and the more we improve each game the more these girls will see the full potential they have out on that field."

UP NEXT
The Dukes are back in action at the Green & Gold Classic on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. as they will face Penn State before taking on Western Carolina at 11:30 a.m. to close out the weekend.