JMU Falls to Troy in Sunday’s Series Finale

TROY, Ala. – James Madison softball dropped the series finale, 6-2, to Troy on Sunday afternoon at the Troy Softball Complex.
 
JMU (18-12, 2-4 Sun Belt) picked up 10 hits, but scored only two runs and committed one error. Troy improved to 24-11 and 4-2 in league play on six runs, nine hits, and one error.
 
Bella Henzler led the Dukes with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, while graduate student Hallie Hall picked up two hits. Kirsten Fleet pitched 3.0 innings of relief, allowing three hits and an earned run, while Payton List (6-6) was charged with the loss, yielding three earned runs in 1.1 innings of work.
 
How It Happened

• Jasmine Hall singled,  Henzler walked, but the Dukes were held off the board in the top half of the first inning on a play at the plate.
• Troy loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, but starter Alissa Humphrey picked up two strikeouts to work around the jam.
• H. Hall and List reached to begin the second inning and Lexi Rogers walked to load the bases with one out in the second, but a strikeout and groundout ended the Dukes' scoring threat.
• Troy brought three runs home in the bottom of the second to grab a 3-1 lead on an RBI double, wild pitch, and a bases-loaded walk.
• A pair of hits from the Trojans extended their lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the third.
• Henzler and Butler hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the fifth, trimming the deficit to 5-2. However, a double play with runners on the corners ended the scoring threat.
• Troy extended its lead to 6-2 on an infield single.
• The Dukes loaded the bases in the top of the sixth on a walk and two singles, but Butler struck out to strand three runners.

 Game Notes

• Humphrey made her 60th career start and 93rd appearance of her career.
• With her fifth-inning double, Butler has now reached base safely in 24 straight games.
• The Dukes lost for the first time this season while recording 10 or more hits.

 Up Next
The Dukes welcome Virginia to Harrisonburg for a midweek contest, set for Wednesday, March 27 at 4 p.m.  The game will be streamed on ESPN+.