Dukes Sweep at the Cavalier Classic

Saturday, February 27

Charlottesville, Va.

Noon

James Madison University

1-0

Virginia

3-5

JMU

Virginia

2/27/2021 8:35:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Charlottesville, Va. – James Madison softball opened the 2021 season with two wins over Virginia and George Washington at the Cavalier Classic on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Game 1

JMU got on the board first in the top of the second with a sacrifice fly from Emily Phillips to drive in Madison Naujokas. Dukes scored again in the third with a double from Odicci Alexander that drove in Sara Jubas. On defense, JMU kept Virginia scoreless until the seventh inning, while Alexander (1-0) threw seven strikeouts.

In the top of the fourth Kate Gordon sent a triple to center field to bring Michelle Sullivan home, 3-0 JMU. At the top of the seventh Logan Newton sent the ball over the center field fence to drive in Alexander to bring the Dukes to a 5-0 lead over Virginia. The Cavaliers replied to Newton's with one of their own, making the final score 5-1.

Game 2

The Dukes got on the board at the top of the second with a single up the middle of the bat of Phillips that drove in Lynsey Meeks. Meeks had opened the second inning by drawing a walk. GWU answered JMU quickly scoring three runs in three innings.

At the bottom of the fifth GWU led 3-1. Alissa Humphrey (1-0) entered the circle for the Dukes and struck out two batters to send JMU back to the plate. At the top of the seventh, Newton sent a triple to left center that drove in Alexander, Jubas, and Gordon tying the game up at 4-4. Naujokas and Meeks each followed two home runs that pushed JMU to take the 8-4 lead over the Colonials.

In the final frame, GWU had the bases loaded with the opportunity to tie the game but Humphrey shut the door throwing two strikeouts. She finished the game with five strikeouts and the victory.

Quick Hits
>> Lauren Bernett finished the day with a .571 batting average going 4-7 at the plate.
>> Three senior Dukes recorded their first home runs of the 2021 season.
>> Alissa Humphrey and Odicci Alexander combined for 16 strikeouts compared to their opponents' 8.

Quoting LaPorte
"I am really proud of the way the girls played today," said LaPorte. "We are excited to be back and we had two big wins today. We battled hard in our second game and were able to capitalize at the plate picking up key hits. On the defensive end, Odicci & Alissa did a great job in the circle for the team."

Up Next

JMU softball travels to Lynchburg, Va. For the Liberty Invitational on March 6. The Dukes will face Longwood at 1:30 p.m. and then the tournament host, Liberty, at 4 p.m.