HARRISONBURG, Virginia – No. 25 James Madison used a pair of early leads to secure a sweep of its Colonial Athletic Association softball weekend series over UNCW following a pair of victories at Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Dukes, who claimed their second weekend sweep over the Seahawks this season, upped their record to 27-1 overall and 14-1 in CAA play. UNCW dropped to 13-21 overall and 7-8 against league foes.
Six different UNCW players recorded a hit in the doubleheader, including junior
Janel Gamache, who blasted her team-high fifth home run of the season with a three-run shot in the second game.
Junior
Jada Santiago, sophomore
Jentri Meadows and senior
Hunter Bizzell each drove in a run during the first game.
How It Happened – Game 1: The Dukes erupted for nine runs on six hits, including three home runs, in the third inning to build a 9-0 lead they did not relinquish. UNCW trimmed the deficit to 9-3 in the fourth inning, but a pair of RBI singles in the bottom of the frame secured the run-rule victory for James Madison.
How It Happened – Game 2: James Madison took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when
Madison Naujokas blasted a two-run home run to right center field. The Dukes added three more runs in the fifth before a three-run home run by Gamache narrowed the gap to 5-3. But, James Madison completed the scoring with a two-run double by
Sara Jubas in the sixth inning.
Notes of Interest: James Madison improved to 6-0 against UNCW this season while extending its series win streak to 11 straight games … Gamache's home run was the 17th of her college career, moving her into sole possession of fourth place on the Seahawks' career list … The Seahawks stand 4-8 in road games this season … James Madison registered 23 strikeouts in the twinbill sweep … Gamache and Santiago have each reached base safely in seven straight games, while Meadows has a six-game streak.
Up Next: UNCW begins a four-game homestand to close out the regular season on Wednesday, Apr. 28, when the Seahawks welcome Coastal Carolina for a 6 p.m. contest.
