JMU Comes Back To Take Two From Charleston in Series Opener

Saturday, April 9

Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

32-3, 0

College of Charleston

23-16, 0

James Madison

Col. of Charleston

2015 JMU Softball - Jailyn Ford - vs. Fordham

JMU Comes Back To Take Two From Charleston in Series Opener

4/9/2016 7:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - No. 7 James Madison picked up a pair of wins against the College of Charleston, notching a 7-1 win and a 4-3 comeback victory to open the Colonial Athletic Association softball series on Saturday afternoon at Patriots Point Athletics Complex.

The Dukes improved to 33-3 overall and 8-0 in CAA play while the Cougars dropped to 23-17 and 3-5.

Sophomore pitcher Megan Good (20-2) picked up her 20th win in the circle this season after allowing just one run on seven hits in a complete-game performance while senior Jailyn Ford (13-1) earned the decision in JMU's 4-3 triumph after conceding three runs and five hits in her seven innings of work.

The Dukes earned the doubleheader sweep by virtue of a pair of solo home runs by Ford early and a two-run seventh inning. JMU jumped out to a 2-0 lead after Ford went deep in both the second and fourth innings but Charleston cleared the bases in the fifth after an error in right allowed three runners to score.

The Dukes tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh after junior outfielder Taylor Newton smacked a double to left field, scoring Ford from first base. Newton advanced to third on the play and scored the game-winning run on the ensuing at-bat on a sacrifice fly by junior infielder Niki Prince. JMU shut the door in the bottom half, retiring all three Cougar batters in order.

In game one, the Dukes scored the first run of the game off a sac bunt from junior infielder Madyson Moran in the second inning. JMU tacked on two more runs in the third as Ford scored off an infield error and Newton stole home to put the Dukes ahead 3-0.

JMU opened the game wide open in the fourth with a four-run inning. Sophomore infielder Morgan Tolle laid down a bunt to third and reached on an error, scoring Moran from third. Good drove home senior catcher Erica Field on the next at-bat with a sac fly to center and after Ford walked, Newton hit a two-RBI single to right, plating both Tolle and Ford to make it a 7-0 ballgame.

Charleston scored its lone run of the game with a pair of doubles in the bottom of the seventh.

UP NEXT

James Madison returns to Mt. Pleasant, S.C. for the third and final game against Charleston on Sunday, April 10 at 12:30 p.m.

QUOTING HEAD COACH MICKEY DEAN
"I would have to say that after a 13 hour travel day we were really tested today but we were tough. I am very proud of the way we hung together and fought as a team today."

THE FORCE OF FORD
Jailyn Ford went 3-for-3 in the second game against the Cougars, including a pair of home runs, both over the left-field fence. In the circle, she allowed only five hits in a complete game performance while striking out five.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Ending the day with two wins and dinner with a view. Nothing better ???? pic.twitter.com/4TmKVLyZpP
— JMU Softball (@JMU_Softball) April 9, 2016

SEASON HIGHS
The Dukes tied a season-high eight walks against the Cougars in game one of the day. JMU recorded eight walks earlier this season in the 9-0 win over No. 12 Tennessee on Feb.19 in Clearwater, Fla.