Dukes Close Season Falling to Tennessee, Ohio

Saturday, May 19

Knoxville, Tenn.

12 PM

James Madison University

43-13

Tennessee

47-12

James Madison

Tennessee

Photo by: Danny Parker

5/19/2018 11:05:00 PM | Softball

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – James Madison concluded its 2018 softball campaign after falling to Ohio, 7-3, in an elimination game of the NCAA Tournament Saturday evening. Earlier today, the Dukes fell to No. 10 Tennessee, 12-3, in six innings after the Volunteers notched three innings with three runs apiece. Both games took place at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

The Dukes ended their season with a 43-14 overall record. Tennessee improved to 47-12, while Ohio improved to 40-16, both advancing to Sunday's Knoxville Regional Championship.

In the day's final game, neither JMU or Ohio could put up runs until the top of the fifth, when a Bobcat error brought sophomore Madison Naujokas home for an unearned run. Freshman Sara Jubas slapped a single to right center, sending senior Ashley Samuels home, who reached base on an error.

Sophomore Natalie Cutright picked up an RBI after singling to center field in the top of the sixth. She batted in freshman Logan Newton who reached base on a single to center field.

Six different Dukes added hits to try and keep JMU's NCAA Tournament hopes alive, including sophomore Kierstin Roadcap, who knocked the sole double for the Dukes in the top of the second.

Sophomore Odicci Alexander tallied the loss on the mound, ending her sophomore season with a 25-8 record. She pitched 4 2/3 innings, sitting down three while allowing five runs (two earned) and walking one. Freshman Payton Buresch hurled the last 1 1/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs.

Against Tennessee, JMU attempted to take control of the game in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs in the frame. Cutright went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate, leading the Dukes with two RBI and singling through the left field to bring Alexander home. Alexander singled to center field to reach base and was one of three Dukes to record a hit against the Volunteers.

Leading off the top of the fourth, sophomore Kate Gordon whacked a dinger over the left side wall, slating her 14th on the season to rank third all-time for homers in a single season.

Despite Cutright's long ball in the top of the second to open the scoreboard, the Volunteers' two-run effort in the bottom of the frame gave Tennessee a quick lead, which they held until the conclusion of the game.

The Volunteers finished the game after registering three runs in both the bottom of the fifth and sixth frames. Tennessee pitcher Caylan Arnold hurled the complete game, fanning seven Dukes and only allowing three runs on four hits.

In the circle for JMU, Alexander was credited with the loss allowing five runs over 2 1/3 innings of work. Buresch relieved Alexander in the bottom of the third to finish the game. In her three innings, Buresch allowed seven runs on eight hits.

SENIOR SENDOFF

The senior class consisting of Morgan Tolle, Ashley Samuels, Jessica Mrozek and Alyssa Buddle will leave the Dukes after accumulating a 193-38 record for an .835 winning percentage.
Tolle wrote her name all over the record book, achieving all-time career rankings such as second for runs (159), second for doubles (51), fourth for home runs (34), and fourth in RBI (140).
Tolle also posted many single-season records, breaking the home run record with 18, placing second for 53 runs scored, second for 78 hits, fifth for 55 RBIs and tying for fourth with 15 doubles.
Over her career, Samuels appeared in 95 games, making 54 starts. With 29 runs on 28 hits, Samuels has also registered six dingers and 32 RBIs. Defensively, she's added 322 putouts for the Dukes.
Mrozek has 159 games under her belt, starting in 78 of them. She has recorded 75 hits, including eight doubles, a triple and 14 long balls. The Chicago, Ill. product has also accrued 25 runs and 64 RBIs over her tenure.
Buddle has made 99 appearances as a Duke, racking up 16 runs on 34 hits. Over the past four years, she's hit eight doubles, two triples and six dingers for a .454 slugging percentage. She has also batted in 27 runs.

QUOTING COACH LAPORTE
"I am nothing but proud of this team. We have gone through so much this year, battling adversity around every corner. Finishing the season with a trip to the post-season and a 43-win record shows the determination and grit these girls have. Today we just did not play our best ball. I can't thank the seniors enough for the past four years they had dedicated to this program, they have been excellent examples to our underclassman and have truly helped root a foundation of what JMU Softball stands for."

Grace Chelemen Named Softball Assistant Coach

Thursday, August 28

Softball Releases 2025 Fall Slate

Friday, August 22

Four Dukes Selected to Sports Illustrated Softball All-Quarter-Century Team

Friday, August 08

First Team All-Conference Pitcher Allie Braly Joins Dukes

Friday, August 01

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Caylan Arnold (25-4)

L: Alexander, Odicci (25-7)

James Madison

Batting:

HR: Gordon, Kate 1 ; Cutright, Natalie 1

RBI: Gordon, Kate 1 ; Cutright, Natalie 2

SH: Jubas, Sara 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Gordon, Kate 1 ; Alexander, Odicci 1 ; Cutright, Natalie 1

Tennessee

Batting:

2B: Aubrey Leach 1

3B: CJ McClain 1

HR: Meghan Gregg 1 ; Chelsea Seggern 1 ; Scarlet McSwain 1 ; Abby Lockman 1

RBI: Aubrey Leach 1 ; Meghan Gregg 3 ; Chelsea Seggern 2 ; Scarlet McSwain 3 ; Amanda Ayala 1 ; Abby Lockman 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Aubrey Leach 3 ; Meghan Gregg 1 ; Treasury Poindexter 1 ; Chelsea Seggern 1 ; Ashley Morgan 1 ; Sheridan Allen 1 ; Scarlet McSwain 1 ; Abby Lockman 1 ; CJ McClain 2