JMU SOFTBALL SWEPT ON DAY TWO OF WOLFPACK CHALLENGE

Saturday, March 12

Raleigh, N.C.

6:30 p.m.

James Madison University

12-6

Fairfield

4-4

James Madison

Fairfield

3/12/2011 9:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

RALEIGH, N.C., March 12, 2011 – Opposing pitchers limited James Madison to three runs over 15 innings as JMU dropped a pair of games during day two of the Wolfpack Challenge in Raleigh, N.C. on Saturday. The Dukes lost game one to Stony Brook 4-2 and game two to Fairfield 2-1 in eight innings.

JMU lost two straight for just the second time this season to drop to 12-6. Fairfield improved to 2-1 in the tournament and 4-4 on the season while SBU has won three straight to improve to 5-8.

In the second game of the day, Fairfield got a walk-off double from first baseman Kristina Lingo in the bottom of the eighth inning to win 2-1.

Senior pitcher Olivia McPherson (Liberty, N.C./Southern Alamance) allowed one unearned run on two hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings of relief. The right-hander struck out three in dropping to 5-2 on the season. She relieved freshman Brittany Jeans (Camano Island, Wash./Stanwood) who allowed one run on four hits and two walks in four innings pitched.

Sarah Minice went the distance for the Stags to earn the win and improve to 2-2. She gave up one run on seven hits while striking out seven in the complete-game effort.

Sophomore first baseman Haley Johnson (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run) went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Dukes. Sophomore center fielder Jasmine Butler (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange) added two hits and a stolen base while junior shortstop Ashley Burnham (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) was 2-for-4 with a run and a steal.

Catcher Lauren Liseth had two hits and a run scored in three at-bats to pace Fairfield's offense. Third baseman Alli Wigand added a double and RBI while right fielder Kimi Kurata was 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and a RBI.

JMU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Burnham initiated the rally with a one-out single through the left side. She stole second and scored on a two-out RBI single to left-center by junior second baseman Caitlen Manning (Prince George, Va./Prince George).

The Stags evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth on a double by Wigand. Liseth led off the frame with an infield single and advanced to second on a ground-out by Lingo. Wigand followed with double down the left-field line to plate Liseth.

After Madison went scoreless in the top half of the eighth inning, Lingo came through with her walk-off double. Second baseman Kristen Filicia started the inning on second base due to the international tiebreaker rule and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Liseth. Lingo worked a 1-1 count before depositing the third pitch she s