HATTIESBURG, Miss. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison used an eight-run second inning and a strong finish in the circle to open its Sun Belt Conference series at Southern Miss with a 15-9 victory on Thursday evening at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
The Dukes (16-18, 4-6 Sun Belt) snapped a four-game skid after registering 13 hits on the day against the Golden Eagles (25-15, 6-4 Sun Belt), led by the quartet of Payton List, Bella Henzler, Madison Edwards and Kylee Gleason, who each had multi-hit outings.
List was 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and six RBI and Henzler finished 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Edwards was 2-for-4 from the plate with a double and a pair of runs batted, while Gleason had a 2-for-3 clip with an RBI. Kendra Lewis and Cali Legzdin also produced doubles, as JMU’s four tied a season high.
Taylor Johnson delivered a steady final three innings and earned her first career save. Johnson allowed just two runs (one earned) while striking out one to secure the road win.
For USM, Hannah Christian, Kinsley Gordon-Sivley and Kayce Bennett each had two hits to lead the offense.
How It Happened:
• The Dukes opened the scoring in the first on Lewis’ two-run double to right center.
• After a Southern Miss run in the first, JMU took full control with eight runs crossing home in the second.
• The frame was highlighted by Henzler’s two-RBI single and List’s three-RBI double to cap off the inning, giving JMU a 10-1 lead.
• Southern Miss answered with five runs in the bottom half, which included a two-RBI double by Adryan Cox.
• After a scoreless third, List stayed hot at the plate, blasting a three-run home run down the left field line, while Edwards added an RBI on a double, extending JMU’s lead back to 14-6.
• Southern Miss never drew closer than six down the stretch.
Game Notes:
• Madison Edwards is now eight hits away from 100 for her career.
• Kendra Lewis currently leads the Sun Belt in batting average, hitting .464 after today’s matchup.
• JMU moved to 4-2 all-time against Southern Miss with the win, as Friday marked the most runs the Dukes have scored against USM and the 24 combined runs was the highest-scoring game in the six-game history.
Up Next
The Dukes looks to carry the momentum against the Golden Eagles in game two of the of the series on Friday, April 3, which begins at 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. CT).
— JMU Athletics —
