James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
James Madison University
Jacksonville St.
DUKES ELIMINATED BY JSU IN NCAA REGIONAL
5/17/2009 12:15:00 AM | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 16, 2009 ? Jacksonville State got a three-hit shutout from right-hander Karla Pittman and 14 hits from its offense to eliminate JMU from the Knoxville Regional of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks defeated the Dukes 6-0 in Saturday's losers' bracket game at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on the campus of the University of Tennessee.
The Dukes end their season with a 35-16 record finishing with the second-most wins in school history and tying the mark for fewest losses (38-16 in 2007). JSU improved to 40-14 with the win and advanced to take on Nebraska in the regional semifinal.
Jacksonville State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, taking advantage of a leadoff walk by right fielder Jackie Jarman. After the free pass, Jarman took second on a stolen base and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Mary Beth Ledbetter. Center fielder Hillary Downs gave the Gamecocks the lead with an infield single to freshman shortstop Ashley Burnham (Danvers, Mass./Danvers).
A misplay in the JMU infield on a chopper by left fielder Chrissy O'Neal extended the fourth inning for JSU, putting two runners on with one out before first baseman Nikki Prier singled to right field to score Downs and chase JMU starter Jenny Clohan (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) from the game. Catcher Allie Barker made it 3-0 one batter later on a sacrifice fly to center field.
The three runs would be more than enough offense for Pittman as the right-hander shutdown the Dukes attack. Pittman allowed three hits and three walks, while striking out six to improve to 16-3.
Clohan took the loss for JMU, ending her senior season with a 17-9 mark. She allowed three runs, one of them earned, on seven hits and two walks in 3.2 innings pitched. Senior right-hander Meredith Felts (Greenville, N.C./J.H. Rose) pitched 3.1 innings of
