Dukes Sweep Seahawks on Senior Day

Sunday, April 25

Harrisonburg, Va.

12 p.m.

James Madison University

26-1, 0

UNCW

13-20, 0

UNCW

James Madison

4/25/2021 6:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

HARRISONBURG, VA – No. 25/24 James Madison softball celebrated senior day by completing the weekend sweep over UNCW winning 11-3 in the first game and 7-3 in game two, to pick up its fifth weekend series sweep of the season, on Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Dukes move to a record of 27-1 overall, 14-1 in Colonial Athletic Association play while the Seahawks move to 13-21, 7-8 in conference play.

Sara Jubas lead the Dukes at the plate going 5-for-6 that included three doubles along with two runs and three RBI. Madison Naujokas recorded four hits, including one home run, four RBI and four runs. Naujokas finished the double header with a 1.400 slugging percentage and went 3-for-3 on stolen bases to put her at 53 career steals. Kate Gordon record a grand slam in game one for her 61^st career home run.

Alissa Humphrey and Odicci Alexander each picked up wins in the circle.

Game 1

JMU did damage in the bottom of the third as they exploded nine runs in the frame. Michelle Sullivan started the frame with a leadoff solo homer to center field, recording her eight career home run. Gordon drew a walk to keep the momentum going that was followed by a single off the bat of Jubas. Logan Newton drew the second walk of the frame but was quickly moved to second as Naujokas ripped a two RBI single up the middle to put JMU at a 3-0 lead.

Lynsey Meeks kept the fire going capitalizing on a fielding error by the Seahawks that brought in Newton. Emily Phillips recorded the third single of the frame to bring in Naujokas and move Meeks to third. Sullivan was back at the plate and drew a walk to load the bases. Gordon took the batter's box and sent the first pitch over the left center fence recording her second grand slam of the season and 61^st career home run. Jubas fired off one more base hit before the Dukes closed the frame with nine runs off six hits.

UNCW answered back with a double and two base hits of their own to score three runs in the top of the fourth before Alexis Bermudez entered to collect the final two outs. The Dukes did not let the runs go unanswered as Hall hit a RBI single up the middle to make the score 10-3. Gordon fired off a RBI single of her own to as Meeks scored the final run of the game, 11-3.

The Dukes shut down the Seahawks in the top of the fifth as Bermudez picked up two more strikeouts to finish with four. Humphrey picked up the win to move to 11-0 recording six strikeouts.

Game 1

The Dukes got on the board first in the bottom of the first and never gave up their lead. Newton hit a single up the middle to get the momentum started for JMU. Naujokas brought Newton home with a home run to right center giving JMU the 2-0 lead.

It was a battle of the pitchers for next three innings as each team remained scoreless through the fourth. Jubas ended the silence in the bottom of the fifth with a RBI double down the left field line. Naujokas followed with a bunt single to get on base. Meeks hit a single up the middle to bring in Jubas and Naujokas increasing JMU's lead to 5-0.

UNCW put up three runs of their own in the top of sixth off a home run. Alexander ended the frame strikeout to strand a Seahawk on base.

Phillips and Sullivan each drew walks to get things started for the Dukes in the bottom of the sixth. Gordon hit a single to left to keep the momentum going. Jubas brought in two runners hitting her second double of the game down the left field line to increase JMU's lead to 7-3.

Alexander tossed two strikeouts and Naujokas caught a pop up for the final out of the game. Alexander recorded her seventh win the circle with 13 strikeouts for her third game recording double-digit strikeouts.

Up Next

The Dukes hit the road for a weekend series against College of Charleston on Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, in Charleston, S.C.