Gordon Scores Winning Run as Dukes Hold Off Elon

Saturday, April 17

Harrisonburg, Va.

11 a.m.

James Madison University

20-1, 0

Elon

13-15, 0

Elon

James Madison

4/17/2021 3:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, VA – James Madison softball (20-1, 9-1) redshirt senior Kate Gordon scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to push the Dukes to a 10-9 victory over Elon (13-15, 6-4), on Saturday afternoon, at Veterans Memorial Park. The Dukes battles back from three different deficits to win the game in the final frame.

Odicci Alexander picked up her third win in the circle while recording eight strikeouts and only walking two batters. Madison Naujokas recorded a double that drove in two runs and also drew two walks. Logan Newton went 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo homer and a double for two RBI and one run. Sara Jubas recorded a three-run homer and scored three times for the Dukes.

How it Happened

Elon did some damage early with two solo homers in the top of the first to take a 2-0 lead heading in to the bottom frame. JMU answered with an RBI double to left field, off the bat of Newton, to chip away at Elon's lead.

Alissa Humphrey sat the Phoenix down in order in the top of the second to help the Dukes get back to the batter's box. Lauren Bernett hit a leadoff single to get the fire going to JMU. Jubas added some flames with a three-run homer to left field to give JMU a 3-2 over Elon. Newton helped match Elon's home runs with a solo to left center to increase the lead to 5-2.

Both teams remained scoreless in the third but the silence was broken by Elon as they pushed four runs to take back the lead at 6-5. Alexander entered the circle for the Dukes and struck out the next three batters to end Elon's run. In the bottom of the fourth, Lynsey Meeks launched a double to left center to drive in Naujokas. Alexander followed with another double to left center to push Meeks across home plate to take the lead back from Elon, 7-6.

The Phoenix quickly answered as they pushed three runs in the top of the fifth to take a 9-7 lead over the Dukes. In the bottom frame, Lauren Bernett and Gordon each drew walks to start things off. Jubas hit a single to left to load the bases with no outs on the board. Naujokas entered the batter's box and rocketed a double to right center for two RBI, her 99^th and 100^th career RBI, helping JMU tie Elon up at 9-9.

It was a battle of the pitchers in the sixth as each sat the batters down in order. Alexander struck out two Elon batters to record the final two outs in the top of the seventh keeping the game tied at 9-9. Gordon hit a leadoff single to left and was move to second on a fielding error by Elon as Jubas took first. Newton kept the momentum going as she drew a walk to load the bases for the Dukes. With the winning run 60 feet from the plate, Naujokas hit one to third, Gordon sprinted home scoring off a fielding error by the catcher to push JMU to the 10-9 victory.

Up Next
JMU will return to Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday, April 18, for a doubleheader against Elon. First pitch is set for noon with the second game to follow at 2 p.m.