ORLANDO, Fla. – No.19 James Madison opened the season with a pair of victories on day one of the UCF Knights Invitational. In the first game, JMU defeated Fordham 1-0 followed by a 5-0 win over Rutgers. Fordham and Rutgers both fell to 0-1.
Senior Jailyn Ford earned both wins in a combined seven innings pitched, while sophomore Megan Good recorded a save against Rutgers. The duo only surrendering four hits in 14 innings while splitting the workload.
Senior catcherErica Field led the Dukes with two hits and one RBI against Fordham. Field ripped a double to right field, scoring junior second baseman Madyson Moranfrom first. Moran reached on a single up the middle for her lone hit of the game.
James Madison jumped to a 2-0 led against Rutgers in the top of the second on back-to-back plays. The first run came on an error, and junior Niki Princescored on a wild pitch from third to make it 2-0.
With sophomore third baseman Morgan Tolle and Good on base on the third, Ford hit the left field fence on a line-drive double to score Tolle.
The Dukes closed the door in the fourth by tacking on two more runs started by senior left fielderHannah Hayes, who led off by beating out a bunt. Moran singled to move Hayes to second. Tolle pushed across Hayes on a fielder's choice.
Good pushed a across the final run on a sacrifice that scored Moran.
The Dukes recorded a perfect day defensively committing no errors, while their opponents committed three.
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UP NEXT No.19 James Madison faces No.5 Alabama at 4:30 p.m. and No.17 UCF at 6:30 p.m. in Saturday's play in the UCF Knights Invitational.Â
RISING UP THE RECORD BOARDS Sophomore pitcher Megan Good is tied for 6th on the JMU all-time career saves list with three alongside Cara Stecher (2010-12).Â
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS Seniors Erica Field, Jailyn Ford andHannah Hayes combined for five hits, two RBIs and two runs in their final season opener.Â