James Madison University softball lost its first Sun Belt Conference game of the season to Georgia Southern, 4–2, on March 13 at Eagle Field in Statesboro, Georgia.
The game marked the start of conference play for both teams. The result puts James Madison at a 12–12 overall record and 0–1 in the Sun Belt, while Georgia Southern moves to 12–12 overall and 1–0 in conference play.
Kendra Lewis led the Dukes offensively, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Taylor Johnson started in the circle for James Madison and now holds a season record of 3-3 after pitching five and two-thirds innings with two strikeouts.
Georgia Southern took an early lead by scoring twice in the first inning on RBI singles and added another run in the second inning. James Madison narrowed the gap in the fifth when Kylee Gleason hit an RBI triple to right-center field, bringing home Lewis. However, a passed ball allowed Georgia Southern to score again in the sixth inning. In the seventh, Lewis singled to bring Emma Jo Evans home, but James Madison was unable to complete a comeback.
James Madison will try to even the series against Georgia Southern tomorrow at 3 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+.
