Dukes Sweep Weekend Series with 5-4 Win Over Towson

Sunday, March 25

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 P.M.

James Madison University

22-7, 3-0

Towson

20-8, 0-3

TOWSON

James Madison

3/25/2018 7:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score @JMUSoftball Photo Gallery Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Seniors Jessica Mrozek and Morgan Tolle came up clutch in the sixth inning with home runs to propel the Dukes past Towson, 5-4 on Sunday afternoon to sweep the weekend series.

The Dukes improved to 22-7 overall and 3-0 in conference play, while the Tigers dropped their fourth in a row to move to 20-8 overall and 0-3 in the CAA.

Freshman Payton Buresch picked up her 11th win in the circle after relieving Odicci Alexander in the second inning. The Downers Grove, Ill. product hurled 4 2/3 innings of work only allowing one run on two hits, while fanning three over 19 batters faced. On the weekend, Buresch pitched 13 innings, good for a 0.69 ERA, giving up only one run on seven hits.

Senior Morgan Tolle led the Dukes at the plate going 4-for-4, coming home twice as she picked up an RBI, two singles, a double and a home run.

JMU had to battle from behind for the first time this weekend after the Tigers scored three runs in the second inning. Kaylen Minnatee had a two run home run to left center to give Towson the early lead. The Dukes answered in the third plating one run after Alexander singled up the middle advancing Tolle home who had a two-out double to center field.

In the fifth, the Dukes plated another run as sophomore Kate Gordon ripped a single down the left field line and Cambry Arnold beat the throw to home. Mrozek hit a two-run, two-strike home run off the score board in right field in the sixth inning to give the Dukes the lead before Tolle blasted one over the center field wall off a new Towson pitcher to extend the lead to 5-3.

Towson trailed by two heading into the seventh and cut the lead quickly to one as an RBI single sent one Tiger home. Buresch would strike out one batter with the bases loaded and pick up the last out of the game with a ground out.

QUOTING COACH LAPORTE
"That was a tough and cold game, but we grinded it out. I am proud of the way the girls stayed calm through getting behind early, never giving up on the ability to come back. Towson played one heck of a game and we knew it was going to be a tough one. Jessica and Morgan came up big when we need it most and that drive and leadership they bring to our team is exactly what we needed in a game like this. Also have to give credit to Payton for coming in to pitch from behind but not letting that affect her performance in the circle. We are excited to walk away with three wins this weekend and will take a few days to recover before we hit the road for the next one."

UP NEXT
The Dukes head south to North Carolina to face UNCW in a weekend series starting on Friday, March 30 at 3 p.m.