Coaching Staff Named D1 Softball's Coaching Staff of the Year

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison softball coaching staff led by Loren LaPorte was tabbed D1 Softball Coaching Staff of the Year after helping the Dukes to their first ever Women's College World Series and finishing the season ranked fourth in the national polls.

The staff of Laporte, Associate Head Coach Jennifer Herzig and Assistant Coach Libby Morris left their mark this season as they coached the Dukes to a historic post season run.

JMU finished their historic 2021 season 41-4, becoming the first three-seeded team since 2014 to make the WCWS. The Dukes claimed their Colonial Athletics Association South Division Regular Season title as well as their sixth CAA Championship to move on to the Knoxville Regional.

At the NCAA Regional, JMU went 3-0, defeating No. 9 Tennessee and No. 25 Liberty, to move on to the Columbia Super Regional, the program's third ever Super Regional appearance. The Dukes punched their ticket to the WCWS after winning the first and third games over No. 8 Missouri, and continued to make history as the team became the first non-seeded team to win the its first two games of the series.

During the postseason, JMU defeated four teammates in the top-10, two of which at the opposing team's home stadium, as well as claiming two victories over #25 Liberty.

The Dukes closed their 2021 campaign ranking seventh in the nation for home runs per game (1.58), sixth in slugging percentage (.562), second in win loss percentage (.911) and ninth in ERA. (1.79).

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