March 7, 2009
Game 1
Game 2
HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Lafayette softball team dropped both games of its season-opening double header at James Madison on Saturday. Game one proved to be a battle in the circle as both teams pitched five shutout innings before JMU snuck in two runs in the sixth to secure the win. The Dukes rallied with three runs in the seventh inning of the second game to steal a 4-3 victory.
Christina Giambrone posted Lafayette's lone hit of the first game in the fourth inning with a single up the middle. But the Leopards already had two outs on the scoreboard and couldn't get anything cooking off the hit.
Ali Henry kept the Dukes subdued for five innings before Shannon Moxey tripled to right center field in JMU's first at bat in the bottom of the sixth. Courtney Simons followed with a double to bring in the Dukes' first run.
Henry proceeded to load the bases and Caitlen Manning grounded out to second, sending Simons home. Lafayette ended the inning with a double play, but the damage had been done and the two runs were enough for the Dukes to squeak out a win.
After three quiet innings in the second game, a fielding error by third baseman Kirk allowed Robyn Matchett to reach first base in the fourth inning. Lafayette capitalized when Kasey Karr doubled down the left field line, sending home Matchett.
Catcher Katie Spitzer made sure the Leopards' edge didn't last long as she homered in the bottom of the fourth to knot the score, 1-1.
Lafayette responded with two runs in the fifth thanks in part to another JMU error.
Senior Amanda Parker came in to pinch run for Giambrone, who singled in Lafayette's second at bat. Parker advanced to second on a wild pitch and reached third when Stacey Kushner singled to right field.
Karr grounded out to third base, allowing Kushner to advance to second. The Leopards pulled ahead, 3-1, as Parker and Kushner scored runs when Moxey muffed a throw.
Lafayette held the lead into the seventh inning but the Dukes would not be denied.
Kirk doubled to left field and reached third on a throwing error by freshman Carly Feiro. Henry loaded the bases by walking the next two batters, and Kaitlyn Wernsing tied it up with a double to left center field.
Spitzer walked to load the bases again before junior center fielder Brittney Dyson drew another walk, giving JMU a 4-3 victory.
The Leopards return to the field on Sunday with a double header matchup at Virginia beginning at 1 p.m.
