Dukes Grab Game Two Against Lady Eagles

Harrisonburg, Va.   –   Senior Lily Romero and sophomore Payton List front three RBIs respectively in a 7-5 win over Southern Miss on Friday night in Veterans Memorial Park in Sun Belt action.

JMU secured the series win, now 21-21 (7-10 SBC) and USM moved to 20-24 (7-9 SBC).

The offensive effort was led by clutch hitting from Romero, going 2-for-3 with a run, two RBI singles, and three RBIs overall. The California native knocked in sophomore Madison Edwards to tie the game in the fourth and drove in the go-ahead two-RBI single to secure the victory.

Senior Abbie Campbell had the first RBI of the game to get the Dukes on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning on a fielder’s choice to shortstop.

List, also recording three RBIs, sent a rocket three-run home run over the right-center wall with two outs in the top of the fifth to take the first lead of the night. List entered the circle in the bottom of the fifth only allowing two hits, recording three strikeouts, and recording her ninth win of the season. Sophomore Kirsten Fleet started in the circle, recording four complete with four strikeouts.

How it happened

Second inning - SOUTHERN MISS 2, JAMES MADISON 0

• The Lady Eagles struck first with a one out two-run home run.

Fourth inning - JAMES MADISON 5, SOUTHERN MISS 2

• Campbell took the plate with bases loaded, batting into a fielder’s choice, to put the Dukes on the board.
• Romero sent a ball into left field sending Edwards home to tie the game with two a piece.
• On a 3-1 count, List launched a three-run home run over the right-center wall, giving JMU its first lead of the game.

Top of the Fifth inning - JAMES MADISON 5, SOUTHERN MISS 5

• With no outs, Hannah Christian sent a two-run shot over the right-center wall.
• Paris Ferguson doubled in Faith Kivett to tie the game at five.

Bottom of the Fifth inning - JAMES MADISON 7, SOUTHERN MISS 5

• Romero singled through the left side, knocking in freshman Reagan Wall and Edwards, pushing the Dukes to the 7-5 advantage.

Game Notes

• James Madison leads the all-time series 3-1 over Southern Miss
• This is the third straight conference series win for the Dukes
• Romero continues to dominate the Sun Belt grabbing her 12th running stealing
• Freshman Cali Legzdin is second in the conference with 18 stolen bases.
• Coach LaPorte is one win away from her 250th career win.

Up Next

The Dukes will attempt a series sweep against the Lady Eagles tomorrow, Saturday, April 19. The first pitch is set for 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. You can follow along by tuning on ESPN+.