Dukes Split Elon Doubleheader to Open Conference Play

Saturday, March 27

Elon, N.C.

Noon

James Madison University

10-0, 1-0

Elon

7-12, 0-1

James Madison

Elon

3/27/2021 9:58:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Elon, N.C. – James Madison softball (10-1, 1-1) split the first Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader of the 2021 season defeating Elon (8-12, 1-1) 2-0 in the first game but falling short in second game losing 5-4 at the Hunt Softball Stadium, on Saturday afternoon.

Sara Jubas had an impressive showing at the plate going 6-for-7 compiled of four doubles and one home run along with two runs and two RBI. Kate Gordon went 2-for-4 with one double, drew one walk and two RBI.

Alissa Humphrey (6-0) picked up her sixth win in the circle and first conference win as she made two appearances, striking out 15 of the 35 batters she faced in 9.0 innings.

Game 1

Jubas started the top of the first inning with a double down the left field line to get the momentum started for the Dukes. Logan Newton followed her teammate with a single down the left to get runners on the corners, with one out. Gordon launched the ball down the left line for a double, driving Jubas home to give the Dukes to 1-0 lead over Elon.

At the top of the fifth, Jubas lead the frame off with a homer to left field to give JMU a 2-0 lead over Elon.

JMU's defense was strong as they were able to keep the Phoenix scoreless for seven innings forcing them to leave eight runners on base over the course of the game. Humphrey only allowed four hits, walking three batters but struck out 11 Phoenix to help capture the 2-0 victory for JMU.

Game 2

After waiting four hours for the weather to clear, JMU and Elon took the field for the second game. Jubas recorded a single through the left side in the top of the first but was stranded on base. Elon jumped ahead in the bottom of the first with an RBI single and a two-run homerun to lead 3-0 over JMU.

The Dukes answered back with a sacrifice fly ball from Kayla Boseman that drove in Gordon to cut Elon's lead to 3-1. The Phoenix recorded their second homer of the game to lead JMU 4-1 in the bottom of the second.

At the top of the third, Jubas hit her second double of the game down the left field line to drive in Hannah Shifflett. Gordon brought Madison Naujokas home with a sacrifice fly out to left field to chip away at Elon's lead, 4-3. The teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when the Phoenix recorded a solo homer to left field to bump their lead to 5-3.

JMU pushed one off a fielding error by Elon that drove in Gordon to make it 5-4 Elon. The Dukes could not get the bats going for the rest of the game falling 5-4 to Elon.

Alexis Bermudez (2-1) started in the circle for the Dukes throwing five strikeouts and walking three batters. Humphrey enter the game in the fifth inning and struck out four batters.

Up Next

James Madison returns to Hunt Softball Stadium on Sunday March 28 at 12 p.m. for the final game of the Elon series.