Dukes Drop Pair of Games on Opening Day in Orlando

Friday, February 25

Orlando, Fla.

9:30 a.m.

James Madison University

3-2

Oakland

1-0

James Madison

Oakland

2/25/2022 3:54:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Dukes dropped its opening games at the UCF Knights Invitational, falling 4-3 to Oakland and 4-1 to Ole Miss on Friday at the UCF Softball Complex.

The Golden Grizzlies improved to 1-0 and the Rebels to 9-3, while JMU's record evened to 3-3.

Hannah Shifflett hit the sole homer for the day, and Hannah Hennessy hit two RBIs.

GAME 1 vs. Oakland
Hennessy put the Dukes on the board in the second inning with a single down the left field line, scoring Shifflett for the game's first run. The Golden Grizzlies responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the second, taking a 3-1 lead.

The Dukes tied the game in the sixth with RBI base hits from Hennessy and Isabelle Fishman, plating Reed Butler and Lexi Rogers. Oakland responded in the bottom half with a RBI single to center, and the Dukes were unable to respond in the seventh.

Alexis Bermudez went the distance for the Dukes, picking up the loss after registering four strikeouts. Hennessey led all players from the plate, going 3-for-3.

GAME 2 vs. Ole Miss
Ole Miss opened up the game with a pair of runs in the first inning off an RBI single and solo home run. Shifflett responded with a homer to left center in the second inning, trimming the JMU deficit to 2-1.

The Rebels extended their advantage to 4-1 with a run in both the fourth and fifth innings, and JMU was unable to produce any more runs, as it was limited to just two hits.

Alissa Humphrey pitched all seven innings for the Dukes, and she fell to 1-2 after allowing eight hits and three earned runs with five strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Dukes continue play in Orlando on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 1:30 when they face host UCF. They also close out the event Sunday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. against #4 Florida. Saturday's matchup with the Knights will be live streamed on the UCF Athletics YouTube page.