Dukes Suffer Shutout Loss at Troy

Saturday, March 23

Troy, Ala.

4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

18-11, 2-3

Troy

23-11, 3-2

James Madison

Troy

3/23/2024 7:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

TROY, Ala. – James Madison softball failed to muster any runs in an 8-0 shutout loss to Troy on Saturday afternoon at the Troy Softball Complex.

JMU dropped to 18-11 and 2-3 in Sun Belt Conference action, managing only four hits and being shutout for the first time this season. Troy recorded eight runs on 11 hits, improving to 23-11 and 3-2 in league play.

Sophomore catcher Bella Henzler went 2-for-3 with two doubles, while Reed Butler finished 1-for-2, reaching base safely for the 23rd consecutive contest. Jasmine Hall was the only other Duke to record a hit in the loss.

Molly Grube got the start in the circle but yielded four runs (three earned) before being pulled without recording an out. Payton List, Kirsten Fleet, and Rebecca Muh finished the game, allowing four earned runs in 5.0 innings.

Troy starting pitcher Haley Pittman worked a complete game shutout, tying a season-high six strikeouts while working a season-best 6.0 innings.

How It Happened

Henzler hit a one-out double which was followed by a Butler single, but an out on the basepaths and a flyout from KK Mathis ended the scoring threat.
Troy scored four runs in the bottom of the first on five hits, chasing Grube from the game after just four batters faced.
The Trojans extended their lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the second on an RBI single to left from McKinney,
The Dukes kept Troy off the board until the bottom of the fifth when Brake hit a two-run homer, extending the Trojans' lead to 7-0.
Troy finished off the 8-0 win with a walk, single, and wild pitch in the home half of the sixth.

Game Notes

The shutout loss is the first for JMU since losing 2-0 to Texas State on May 4, 2023.
Henzler's two doubles in a single game is a season and career high.
The Dukes dropped to 3-2 all-time against Troy.
The Trojans finished 5-for-11 (.455) with runners in scoring position and 2-for-2 with the bases loaded.

Up Next
JMU closes its weekend series with Troy tomorrow, March 24, with the first pitch slated for Noon (ET). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.