JMU Earns Spot in Regional Title Game With 10-1 Win Over UNC

Saturday, May 21

Harrisonburg, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

48-4

North Carolina

32-24

North Carolina

James Madison

Jessica Mrozek and Madyson Moran NCAA Harrisonburg Regional

JMU Earns Spot in Regional Title Game With 10-1 Win Over UNC

5/21/2016 4:39:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – No. 7 James Madison softball clinched a spot in the NCAA Harrisonburg Regional championship with a 10-1 six-inning win over North Carolina at Veterans Memorial Park Saturday afternoon. This marks the first time in program history that JMU will appear in a regional championship game.

Sophomore designated hitter Jessica Mrozek laced a grand slam over the right field wall in the bottom of the first, giving the Dukes a 4-0 lead over the Tar Heels they would never relinquish.

After giving up one run in the fourth, the Dukes answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore Madyson Moran kicked off the inning with a double to center field before senior Hannah Hayes knocked her in with an infield single. Sophomore Morgan Tolle drove in the final two runs of the inning with a single through the left side to push JMU to a 7-1 advantage.

Moran capped the day with a three-run homer over the center field wall, clinching the 10-1 run-rule victory in the sixth.

Senior Jailyn Ford (18-2) earned the win allowing only five hits in six innings of work while striking out eight. Ford recorded her 800th career strikeout for the final out of the first inning.

JMU moved to 48-4 on the season, tying the program's single-season win record, while UNC fell to 32-24.

UP NEXT
JMU returns to action Sunday, May 22 for the regional championship game at Veterans Memorial Park. The first pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE - Head Coach Mickey Dean, Jailyn Ford, Jessica Mrozek and Madyson Moran

NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS
Senior pitcher Jailyn Ford recorded her 800th career. She has averaged 201 per season with a single-season record of 233 in her sophomore campaign.

With a 48-4 record, JMU is one win away from setting a new single-season wins record, surpassing their 48-10 mark set in 2015.

Moran recorded a career-high three hits (3-for-3) and her fifth home run of the season.

Hayes tied a career-high three hits going 3-for-3.

Mrozek tied a career-high four RBIs.

PLAY OF THE GAME

For full highlights visit here.

STREAKS
JMU enters the regional championship game riding an eight game win streak that began on April 30.

The Dukes own a 16-0 record at Veterans Memorial Park this season, including a 5-0 home record in the postseason.

PHOTO OF THE DAY
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For full gallery visit here.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Jailyn Ford closed the first inning with her 800th career strikeout! pic.twitter.com/SFjIswWGum
— JMU Softball (@JMU_Softball) May 21, 2016

Congrats to Jailyn Ford and JMU softball on their big NCAA win today!! Great to be with the Dukes!!! #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/XHX5YQVlV7
— Joe D'Antonio (@joeyd812) May 21, 2016