JMU WINS 2009 CAA SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Friday, May 8

Hempstead, N.Y.

2:15 p.m.

James Madison University

Towson

5/8/2009 9:15:00 PM | Softball

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., May 8, 2009 ? Fourth-seeded JMU got a nine-run second inning and solid pitching from senior right-hander Meredith Felts (Greenville, N.C./J.H. Rose) as the Dukes won the 2009 Colonial Athletic Association Championship 11-1 over third-seeded Towson on Friday. It is the first softball championship in the program's eight-year history.

Madison put the game away early, attacking TU starter Shannon Johnston for seven runs, six of them earned, before the junior was lifted with one out in the second.

JMU's big second inning was opened with a double by junior center fielder Brittney Dyson (Waldorf, Md./Thomas Stone), who scored one batter later on a throwing error by the TU second baseman. The Dukes kept up the attack, loading the bases on back-to-back singles by junior right fielder Courtney Simons (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) and senior third baseman Amber Kirk (Hamilton, Va./Loudoun County) before another Tiger error made it 3-0. Sophomore designated player Katie Spitzer (Broadway, Va./Broadway) grounded into a fielder's choice on the play, but the throw got away from shortstop Sammi DiPompo, allowing junior first baseman Shannon Moxey (Church Road, Va./Mills Godwin) to score. Freshman shortstop Ashley Burnham (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) followed with a single to shallow left field to make it 4-0 and chase Johnston from the game.

Right-hander Dominique Ortega entered the game for the Tigers but was unable to get Towson out of the jam. Senior catcher Julia Dominguez (Sterling, Va./Park View) walked with the bases still loaded to give Madison a 5-0 lead before a fielder's choice and a single chased in two more JMU runs. Moxey capped the inning with a two-run double down the right-field line to put Madison up 10-0.

Moxey finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Felts handled the rest for JMU, pitching five innings of four-hit softball to pick up the win. The senior allowed one run, walked one and struck out five to improve to 18-4 on the season and break her own school record for wins in a season.

Felts was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Play