Dukes Drop Series Opener to No. 24 Louisiana

Friday, April 5

Lafayette, La.

7 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

21-14, 5-5

Louisiana

25-13, 10-0

James Madison

Louisiana

4/5/2024 9:57:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, La. – James Madison softball dropped the series opener to No. 24 Louisiana, 5-3, on Friday evening at Lamson Park.

The Ragin Cajun's improved to 25-13 and a perfect 10-0 in Sun Belt play on five runs and eight hits, while JMU fell to 21-14 and 5-5 in league play on three runs and eight hits.

Lexi Rogers hit her second home run of the season, while Payton List finished 2-for-3 with an RBI single. Avery Pinder went 1-for-2 with an RBI and Reed Butler extended her hitting streak to 15 games, going 1-for-4.

Alissa Humphrey started in the circle for the Dukes, giving up four runs in 4.0 innings. Kirsten Fleet pitched 3.0 innings of relief, yielding one run and striking out a batter.

How It Happened

A leadoff ground-rule double, wild pitch and RBI groundout gave the Cajuns their first run in the bottom of the first, but Humphrey induced a popup to end the frame and keep the score at 1-0.
A lead-off walk from KK Mathis to lead off the second came around to score on an RBI single from List, tying the game at 1-1.
A two-run home run from Alexa Langeliers gave the home team a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
The Dukes answered with a run in the top of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk from Pinder, cutting the UL lead to 3-2.
The Cajuns grabbed the run back in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single from Victoria Valdez, pushing the advantage back to two runs (4-2).
A pair of singles put two on for the Cajuns with a run scoring on a fielder's choice bunt, extending their lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth.
Rogers' second home run of the year cut UL's lead to 5-3 in the top of the sixth.
Butler singled to left with one out in the top of the seventh, but a strikeout and groundout gave Louisiana the 5-3 win.

Game Notes

Along with extending her hit streak to 15, Butler reached base for the 29th consecutive game.
Humphrey made her 62nd career start and 97th appearance.
Jasmine Hall made her first start of the season at shortstop.
Madison Edwards walk in the top of the fourth inning was her team-leading 20th of the season.

Up Next
JMU and Louisiana will resume their three-game series tomorrow at 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. CT) from Lafayette. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.