WILMINGTON, N.C. – The UNCW softball team split two low-scoring battles against James Madison in Colonial Athletic Association play to open the series at Boseman Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Seahawks (21-7, 3-2 CAA) claimed game one, 2-1, over the Dukes behind freshman Emily Winstead's fifth complete game. JMU then rallied in the late innings to send the afternoon capper into extras before scoring two runs in the ninth to win, 3-2, and even the series.

The teams will conclude the series on Sunday, Apr. 3, at noon.

Game 1 | UNCW 2, JMU 1

Winstead fanned seven of the first 12 batters faced and totaled nine strikeouts as the Seahawks bested the Dukes for the first time since 2018.

Third baseman Anna Knox plated the first run when she reached on a JMU throwing error. Knox then took off for second base, but the throwdown sailed into centerfield, allowing Knox to score on the play.

The Dukes did not get their first hit until the fifth inning when, with one out, catcher Lauren Bernett shot a single up the middle and took second on a defensive miscue. Centerfielder Isabelle Fishman then shot a double down the left-field line to tie the game, 1-1.

First baseman Janel Gamache started the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle on a 2-0 count. Catcher Mackenzie Amodeo executed a sac-bunt that allowed Gamache to advance all the way to third.

Right fielder Morgan Britt then grounded out to third to score Gamache and put the Seahawks back in front, 2-1.

After allowing Fishman's double, Winstead retired seven of the final eight Dukes to earn her seventh win this season.

Game 2 | JMU 3, UNCW 2 // 9 innings

The Seahawks plated one in the bottom of the ninth but could not tie the game with the bases loaded as the Dukes escaped with a win.

Freshman Kara Hammock was dealing through 5.2 innings before the Dukes tied the game, 1-all, on two hits and a walk after Hammock was clipped on a comebacker to the mound.

Junior right-hander Amberlyn Pearce entered in relief and tossed three innings as the teams traded scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth innings.

In the top of the ninth, Pearce recorded two quick outs before Dukes shortstop Morgan Mesaros walked on a 3-2 count. Top of the order hitters Hannah Shifflett ad Hallie Hall each singled as JMU plated two runs in the frame.

The Seahawks struck first in the bottom of the fourth when Knox laid down a sac-bunt that scored Britt, who singled to start the inning.

UNCW worked two walks and two singles to load the bases and score a run but were unable to plate the tying run to sweep the doubleheader.