Reed Butler Named Sun Belt Player of the Week

NEW ORLEANS – Reed Butler of James Madison softball was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon.

The honor comes after Butler finished 5-for-8 (.625) with two doubles, a home run, two RBI, and three walks in JMU's three-game sweep over Marshall this past weekend. Her performance raised her season batting average to .403, the highest mark on JMU and third among qualified hitters in the Sun Belt.

The senior from Pomfret, Md., has enjoyed a breakout season for the Dukes (24-16, 8-7 SBC), starting every game in center field. Through 40 games, Butler has already set single-season career highs in runs scored (33), hits (52), doubles (8), home runs (8), and RBI (28). Butler also sits fifth in the Sun Belt in OPS (1.136) and hits (52) and is seventh in on-base percentage (.469).

The fifth-year outfielder becomes just the second JMU player to be named Sun Belt Player of the Week, as KK Mathis was tabbed with the honor on March 28, 2023. Two Dukes have taken home the league's Pitcher of the Week laurels this season - Kirsten Fleet on Feb. 13 and Alissa Humphrey on Feb. 20.

Butler and the Dukes return to the diamond this afternoon for a doubleheader with the Longwood Lancers. The first game will start at 3:05 p.m., followed by the second game 30 minutes after the completion of game one. Curt Dudley and Grace Newell McCabe will provide commentary for ESPN+, while Dave Riggert will broadcast the game on the Varsity Network App and 106.9 FM.

Calendar

Players Mentioned

Reed Butler

Kirsten Fleet

Alissa Humphrey

KK Mathis

Grace Newell

JMU Footer

Scoreboard

Calendar

Completed Event: Softball versus Coastal Carolina on March 22, 2026 , Win , 17, to, 2 , (5 Inn.)

Completed Event: Softball at George Mason on March 25, 2026 , Loss , 3, to, 5

Completed Event: Softball versus South Alabama on March 28, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 6

Completed Event: Softball versus South Alabama on March 28, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 5

Completed Event: Softball versus South Alabama on March 29, 2026 , Loss , 1, to, 6

Upcoming Event: Softball at Southern Miss on April 2, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)

Upcoming Event: Softball at Southern Miss on April 3, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. CT)

Upcoming Event: Softball at Southern Miss on April 4, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CT)

Upcoming Event: Softball versus Louisiana on April 10, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Softball versus Louisiana on April 11, 2026 at 1 p.m.

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