GREENVILLE, N.C. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison softball saved its most dramatic finish for in the finale of the Pirate Clash on Sunday, as it erupted for five runs in the seventh inning to fuel a 7-5 comeback win over East Carolina at the Max R. Joyner Family Stadium.
The Dukes (6-6) wrapped up the weekend with a 4-1 record, splitting the matchups with the host Pirates (9-7).
Tied at 2-2 heading to the seventh, JMU loaded the bases and Emily LeGrand deliver a base hit deep to left center in what would be the eventual game-winning hit. Two players scored on the hit, and both she and Bella Henzler scored on a throwing error to make it 6-2. Another RBI single from Lisey St. Jean made it 7-2.
In the bottom half, ECU hit a three-run home run off the bat of Trinity Nichols, but the Dukes retired the ensuing batter for the win.
Three Dukes recorded a pair of hits, including Emma Jo Evans, who hit JMU’s lone home run of the afternoon and scored twice. Kylee Gleason and Henzler also went 2-for-3 in the win. Kirsten Fleet went the distance, getting the win after allowing five runs and 10 hits with a pair of strikeouts off 123 pitches.
For ECU, Nichols led the hosts with a 3-for-4 game, which included a game-high four RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Pirates struck first, scoring on a single in the second inning.
• JMU answered with a Madison Edwards RBI double in the third, but ECU came back with Nichols’ first scoring hit of the day on a RBI single in the fifth.
• Evans tied the game again, this time at 2-2, in the top of the sixth with a solo shot to deep left field.
• After getting out of a jam in the bottom of the sixth, JMU took over in the seventh with its five runs off the LeGrand and St. Jean hits.
UP NEXT
The Dukes open their home slate on Feb. 27 through March 1 when hosting the Lakeside Book Invitational from Bank of the James Field at Veterans Memorial Park. JMU welcomes both Buffalo and Hofstra to Harrisonburg for the three-day event.
— JMU Athletics —
