Field Breaks Career Hit Record in 2-1 Win at No. 21 ASU

Sunday, March 13

Tempe, Ariz.

2:30 p.m. ET

James Madison University

Arizona State

3/13/2016 5:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

TEMPE. Ariz. – No. 9 James Madison defeated No. 21 Arizona State 2-1 in eight innings to close the Louisville Slugger Invitational Sunday afternoon. The Dukes moved to 22-2 on the season while the Sun Devils fell to 21-6.

Sophomore pitcher Megan Good (13-1) earned the win in 1 2/3 innings pitched without allowing a hit after relieving senior starter Jailyn Ford. In 6 1/3 innings, Ford limited ASU to one run on five hits with five strikeouts.

After five scoreless innings, senior catcher Erica Field launched a solo home run over the left center wall for a 1-0 lead in the sixth.

One inning later in the bottom of the seventh, Arizona State's Nikki Girard tied it up with a lead-off home run to center field. JMU got out of the inning as Ulufa Leilua lined into a double play from the pitcher to first base.

The game headed into the extra innings, forcing the international tiebreaker rule. Junior Tahli Moore was placed on second before senior Hannah Hayes moved her to third on a sacrifice bunt. Junior Madyson Moran laid down an RBI single bunt for the go-ahead run.

The Dukes held the Sun Devils scoreless through a one-out, bases-loaded situation as sophomore Morgan Tolle got the lead runner at home. Good closed the game by striking out the last batter and securing the extra-inning victory.

QUOTING HEAD COACH MICKEY DEAN
"What a great game to be a part of as both teams played extremely well. Jailyn and Megan were very good today with some great defensive plays and we were able to do some things offensively to cause pressure on their defense."

FIELD TAKES OVER JMU RECORD
Senior catcher Erica Field became the program's all-time career hits leader with her solo home run against Arizona State, raising her career total to 233 as she passed Jasmine Butler (2010-13) into first with 232.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

CAREER CHARTS
Junior Niki Prince is currently tied for the top spot on the JMU all-time career hit by pitch charts alongside Katie Spitzer (2008-11) with 21.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Go Dukes! Let's get this win! @JMU_Softball #JMUSoftball #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/99dAffrwN1
— Ana Saliaris (@Chpsana) March 13, 2016

LOUISVILLE SLUGGER SUMMARY
The Dukes went 4-1 at the Louisville Slugger Invitational Mar. 11-13 in Tempe, Ariz. In day one, JMU defeated Ohio State 7-4 and dropped an 8-4 decision against No. 23 Nebraska. In a re-match game, the Dukes beat No. 23 Nebraska 7-0 and Georgetown 2-1 in day two. The Dukes closed the tournament with a 2-1 win over host No. 21 Arizona State.

RUNNING THE RANKINGS
No. 9 JMU is now 7-2 against nationally ranked opponents with wins over No. 17 UCF, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 3 Auburn, No. 15/18 Arizona twice, No.23 Nebraska and No.21 Arizona State. They are also 4-0 against Top-25 teams on the road.