The Virginia softball team (5-23, 1-8 ACC) dropped a doubleheader Wednesday night against James Madison (19-6). The Dukes stifled the Cavaliers’ bats while erupting offensively off Virginia’s pitching to earn 9-1 and 10-2 wins.
In the first game, the Cavaliers only managed two hits, initially claiming the lead in the first inning when sophomore infielder Kaitlin Fitzgerald singled home freshman outfielder Allison Davis to take a 1-0 lead.
Virginia’s advantage was brief, however, as JMU combined for eleven hits, plating three runs in the bottom of the first. With an RBI single by freshman pitcher Megan Good, who went 3-4 and pitched the complete game, the Dukes scored their ninth run in the fifth inning to end the mercy-shortened game. Freshman infielder Danni Ingraham collected the only other hit for the Cavaliers with a single to right field as Virginia fell 9-1.
In the second game, James Madison’s offense again thrived, putting up 10 runs on 12 hits and three home runs, while its pitching shut down the Cavaliers. Virginia was prohibited from scoring for four innings, before sophomore infielder Madison Labshere scored on a single by senior first baseman Megan Harris in the fifth inning.
A double by Davis to plate Harris accounted for Virginia’s second run in the fifth. Despite smacking six hits, Virginia was only able to produce two runs, thanks to effective pitching by JMU’s junior Jailyn Ford. The game again ended prematurely when freshman infielder Jessica Mrozek launched her first home run of the season into the right center stands as James Madison earned the 10-2 win.
The event marks the third time in the last three years that JMU has swept Virginia in their annual doubleheader clash, while the Cavaliers’ losing streak grew to six games.
Virginia will look to earn a few victories as it participates in the U.Va. Home Tournament at The Park this weekend. The Cavaliers will compete in three games, one against Delaware State and two against Marist.
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