Dukes Split Final Games in Hawaii Against BYU, Hawaii

Saturday, March 10

Honolulu, Hawaii

5 P.M.

James Madison University

16-5

BYU

13-12

BYU

James Madison

3/11/2018 12:53:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score - BYU Box Score - Hawaii @JMUSoftball

HONOLULU – The James Madison softball team tallied 14 runs on 20 hits over two games to end its stint in Hawaii at the Spring Fling Tournament. The Dukes dropped a 7-2 decision to BYU before bouncing back with a 12-1 six-inning win over host, Hawaii to close out the weekend.

The Dukes improved to 17-5 overall. BYU moved to 13-12 and Hawaii dropped to 11-11.

JMU scored seven runs in the second and five runs in the sixth to propel past Hawai'i in the nightcap. Sophomore Kierstin Roadcap led JMU at the plate going 3-for-4, picking up three RBI and was the lone Duke to have an extra-base hit with a two-RBI double in the second. Each Duke who came to the plate at least tallied one hit in the contest, while three Dukes tallied two or more. Freshman Michelle Sullivan recorded her first collegiate hit, in the top of the second, with a single to first base.

Odicci Alexander also was strong offensively going 2-for-4 with three RBI while scoring twice. The 12 runs and 13 hits are both season highs for the Dukes.

Freshman Payton Buresch pitched a complete game, allowing one run on six hits while striking out one to raise her record to 8-3.

Sophomore Cambry Arnold led the Dukes against BYU going 3-for-4 at the plate with three singles.

The Cougars struck first going up by two in the top of the third, but the Dukes responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to tie it up. Sophomore Kate Gordon had an RBI double to right center to score the first run and Sophomore Natalie Cutright followed with an RBI single up the middle to tie.

In the bottom of the sixth the Cougars had a two-run home run. They added three more runs in the top of the seventh.

Buresch took the loss after coming in during a bases-loaded situation for Alexander. She pitched 4 and 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits while walking and striking out one.

QUOTING COACH LAPORTE
"I am proud of the way the girls responded today in our second game, our first game wasn't our best and that showed. It's what you do after taking the loss that matters and we responded well. We were able to capitalize at the plate picking up a lot of base hits. We are happy to be leaving Hawaii with eight wins as we faced some tough competition. We are already looking ahead and can't wait to be back on our home turf and to play in front of a home crowd for the first time this coming weekend."

UP NEXT
The Dukes come back to the Valley and will close out their non-conference slate at home, hosting the JMU Invitational. They open the weekend at 2 p.m on Friday, March 16 facing Stony Brook and play Ohio at 4 p.m.