James Madison University’s softball team defeated Appalachian State University 9-3 on April 18, hitting three home runs and collecting a total of 16 hits at Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.
The game saw James Madison (21-21, 8-9 Sun Belt) score nine runs on sixteen hits with one error. Appalachian State (26-17, 5-12 Sun Belt) finished with three runs, five hits, and two errors.
Kira Ortega led the Dukes’ offense by going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run. Emily LeGrand contributed two hits including a homer and a double. Cali Legzdin also hit a home run as part of her two-hit performance, while Emma Jo Evans went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Pitcher Taylor Johnson earned her seventh win of the season after throwing four innings without allowing any runs. Kirsten Fleet pitched three innings in relief, striking out two batters and giving up just one earned run.
The Dukes took an early lead in the second inning when LeGrand and Legzdin hit back-to-back solo home runs. In the fourth inning, Evans singled and scored on aggressive baserunning before Madison Edwards added to the tally with a two-RBI triple. Kendra Lewis and LeGrand each drove in additional runs during that frame to make it 7-0. App State responded in their half of the fourth as Kendall Bradshaw drove in two runs with a single.
Ortega provided insurance for James Madison by hitting a two-run homer in the seventh inning to extend their lead to seven runs. Bradshaw answered for App State with a solo home run later that inning but could not close the gap further.
James Madison will aim to secure the series victory against Appalachian State when they meet again Sunday afternoon at noon on ESPN+.
