Dukes Split Series Opening Doubleheader Against UNCW

Friday, March 30

Wilmington, NC

3 P.M.

James Madison University

22-8, 3-1

UNCW

10-17, 1-3

James Madison

UNCW

3/30/2018 9:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 @JMUSoftball Box Score - Game 1 Box Score - Game 2

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The James Madison softball team tallied 14 runs on 19 hits over two games to open the weekend series against UNCW on Friday afternoon. The Dukes dropped a 6-4 decision after a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh by a Seahawks before bouncing back with a 9-1 five-inning win to close out the afternoon.

The Dukes are 23-8 on the season and 4-1 in Colonial Athletic Association play. UNCW moved to 10-18 and 1-4 in league play.

Sophomore Odicci Alexander turned in a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, with a grand slam in the fifth, upping her home run total to a team and league leading 10. The Boydton, Va. product also tallied two singles in the second game of the afternoon. She was credited with the win in the circle after pitching her seventh complete game of the season only allowing one run on four hits while striking out four over 20 batters faced.

Kate Gordon also tallied a home run in the 9-1 victory, picking up 2 RBI after launching her seventh long ball of the season over the left field wall, upping her current hit streak to 13. Sophomore Kierstin Roadcap was 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI and two singles.

The Dukes stumbled in the first game of the day after the Seahawks hit a two RBI walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh. Roadcap gave the Dukes an early advantage, hitting her second home run of the season over the left field wall. UNCW would quickly respond to take the lead after a 2 RBI triple to center field in the second inning.

In the fourth, sophomore Natalie Cutright had an RBI single to center field to cut the UNCW lead to one. The next frame, Roadcap had a sacrifice fly that sent Sara Jubas home to tie the game at three all. UNCW responded, plating one run in the bottom of the fifth. Gordon recorded her ninth double of the season in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 4-all, before the Seahawks would launch the game ending long ball in the bottom of the frame.

Freshman Payton Buresch got the start in the circle, pitching four innings, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out two. Alexander was credited with the loss in relief after hurling 2 2/3 innings allowing two runs on two hits while striking out two.

UP NEXT
The Dukes are back in action tomorrow to close out the series against the Seahawks at Boseman Field, first pitch is set for 12 p.m.