HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison softball dropped its series opener to Coastal Carolina, 16-8, on Friday afternoon at Bank of the James Field at Veterans Memorial Park.
JMU (14-13, 2-2 Sun Belt) scored eight runs on 12 hits and no errors, but Coastal Carolina (16-14, 3-1 SBC) finished with 16 runs on 12 hits, which included four home runs.
Kira Ortega led the Dukes at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBI. Madison Edwards hit a home run and finished 2-for-4, while Emily LeGrand also recorded two hits and a pair of RBI. Freshman Emma Jo Evans also picked up a pair of hits, going 2-for-4.
The tandem of Libby Pippin, Delaney Keith, and Georgia Hood combined to go 6-for-10 (.600) at the plate with eight RBI at the top of the order for the Chanticleers. CCU also worked nine walks.
Abby Henderson got the win in the circle for Coastal Carolina, working 4.0 innings. Payton List was dealt the loss, as the redshirt junior worked a pair of innings.
How It Happened
Coastal Carolina 16, James Madison 8
• The Chanticleers scored seven runs in the opening two innings, as Kaelin Cash and Delaney Keith delivered three-run blasts for the visitors.
• LeGrand got JMU on the board in the bottom of the third with a double to left, scoring Cali Legzdin.
• Coastal Carolina answered with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to go ahead 9-1.
• Needing a run to extend the game, JMU pushed across five in the bottom of the fifth to bring the Dukes to within three (9-6).
• Madison Edwards brought in a run with a groundout before LeGrand added her second RBI of the day with a single. Mia Tribul followed with an RBI hit, and Kira Ortega capped the rally with a two-RBI single, trimming the margin to three.
• The Dukes continued to apply pressure in the sixth as Edwards launched a solo home run to left.
The Dukes will look to bounce back tomorrow at 1 p.m. as they face the Chanticleers in day two of the weekend series
— JMU Athletics —
