Alexander, Dukes Shut Down Cougars

Sunday, May 2

Charleston, S.C.

Noon

James Madison University

30-1, 17-1

College of Charleston

6-35, 0-18

James Madison

Col. of Charleston

5/2/2021 3:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

CHARLESTON, S.C. – No. 24/23 James Madison softball extending its winning streak to 20 games as they shutout College of Charleston 6-0 to capture the series sweep, on Sunday afternoon. MU swept its sixth weekend series of the season, fifth in conference play, and tied the program record for longest winning streak that was set by the 2019 team.

JMU moves to a record of 30-1 overall and finished the conference regular season 17-1, while Charleston finished the regular season 6-35, 0-18 in Colonial Athletic Association play.

Odicci Alexander was a key player on both sides of the ball for the Dukes as she struck out 11 batters, recording her fifth game with double-digit strikeouts, and went 1-for-2 at the plate with a three-run home run.

Kate Gordon led JMU at the plate going 2-for-4 with one double and two RBI. Hannah Shifflett recorded a solo homer, two runs and one walk for JMU in the two innings she appeared in. Madison Naujokas extended her stolen bases streak to six games as she went 2-for-2 in the single game against the Cougars.

How It Happened

The teams were scoreless through the first inning but JMU broke the silence in the top of the second off a single through the left side from Gordon that drove in Hallie Hall.

It was a battle of the pitchers for three innings as each team remained scoreless. Alexander helped the Dukes keep the Cougars from scoring as she threw five strikeouts in during the three inning stretch.

JMU pushed another run in the top of the sixth to increase its lead to 2-0 over the Cougars. Shifflett entered the game as a pinch hitter and started the momentum with a leadoff walk for the Dukes. She made her way to third with the help of a sacrifice bunt from Lynsey Meeks and a lined out hit from Michelle Sullivan, before Gordon hit a double down the left field line that drove her across home plate.

In the top of the seventh, the Dukes did damage to the score board as they pushed four runs off two hits. It started with a leadoff walk drawn by Logan Newton that was followed by another walk drawn by Naujokas. Alexander took the batter's box with two on, one out and launched the ball over the left-field fence for a three-run home run increasing JMU's lead to 5-0 over Charleston. Shifflett scored the final run of the game as she recorded a solo home run to left field putting the score at 6-0.

Alexander closed the game by striking out three Charleston batters to capture her ninth win and third shutout of the season in the circle. The pitcher finished the series with 25 strikeouts, facing 39 batters, and only allowing one hit in the 12.0 innings she pitched.

Up Next

JMU welcomes Charlotte for a single game on Wednesday, May 5, at Veterans Memorial Park, to close out the regular season. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.