Samuels' Grand Slam Leads Dukes Past UNC

Wednesday, April 11

Harrisonburg, Va.

5 P.M.

James Madison University

28-8

UNC

23-20

NORTH CAROLINA

James Madison

4/11/2018 7:56:00 PM | Softball

Box Score @JMU_Softball Photo Gallery Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A walk-off grand slam courtesy of senior Ashley Samuels sealed James Madison softball's triumph over North Carolina, 9-0, Wednesday evening at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Dukes improved to 28-8 on the season, keeping an 8-1 conference record, while the Tar Heels fell to 23-20.

In the Dukes' sixth consecutive win, Samuels hit a dinger to left center to tally her second grand slam in four games. Morgan Tolle slated her ninth home run of the year, bringing the score to 5-0 in the bottom of the second.

Sophomore Madison Naujokas began the bottom of the second with her second homer of the season to bring three runners home and led the Dukes with two total runs on the day. In the bottom of the first inning, Kate Gordon notched a double to extend her hit streak to 18 games, pushing Odicci Alexander to third, but an error committed by North Carolina's shortstop sent Alexander in for the first run on the game.

Alexander was also strong from the circle, pitching the entire five innings and striking out five to boost her record to a league-leading 15-3. The pitcher also threw her sixth shutout of the season and the Dukes' 11th overall.

Kierstin Roadcap went 2-for-2 at the plate with two singles and walked in her final at bat.

PLAY OF THE GAME

M5 | Check out this diving catch from Samuels behind the plate as she ends the top of the inning! #GoDukes #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/1g8oZF7nXO
— JMU Softball (@JMUSoftball) April 11, 2018

QUICK FACTS

The Dukes have run-ruled their last three opponents in four of the last six games.
With the win, the Dukes up their overall series record to 8-6, winning their eighth straight over the Tar Heels.
In the last four games, the Dukes have hit multiple home runs and have hit at least one home run in nine of the last ten games.
The JMU pitching staff has only given up two earned runs in the last four games while striking out 30.
The Dukes snapped the Tar Heels' four-game win streak. This was the first time since March 24 that the Tar Heels have been run ruled.
The Dukes have produced double digits hits in eight of the last 10 games.

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTING COACH LAPORTE
"Today, we were seeing the ball really well. To produce nine runs on nine hits against an ACC school like North Carolina is a good showing. Every win at this time of year is super important as we want to take the best possible record into postseason. Ashley made some great plays on both sides of the ball tonight and it shows her effort and determination as a senior and a leader on this team. Also proud of Odicci for getting the job done in the circle, keeping UNC off the board."

NEXT UP
JMU returns to CAA play as it travels to College of Charleston April 14 for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

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Next Event

College of Charleston

W, 2-0

Apr 14 (Sat)

2 P.M.

Box Score Recap Game Notes Watch Live stats History

Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Alexander, Odicci (15-3)

L: Brittany Pickett (21-7)

NORTH CAROLINA

Batting:

SH: Taylor Wike 1

Base Running:

SB: Kiani Ramsey 1

James Madison

Batting:

2B: Gordon, Kate 1

HR: Tolle, Morgan 1 ; Naujokas, Madison 1 ; Samuels, Ashley 1

RBI: Tolle, Morgan 1 ; Naujokas, Madison 3 ; Samuels, Ashley 4

SH: Jubas, Sara 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Tolle, Morgan 1 ; Alexander, Odicci 1 ; Roadcap, Kierstin 1 ; LaScola, Sydney 1 ; File, Hannah 1 ; Jubas, Sara 1 ; Naujokas, Madison 2 ; Samuels, Ashley 1