May 1, 2009

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - The George Mason softball team's offense had trouble getting going as it opened a season-ending three-game series at Colonial Athletic Association rival James Madison, and the Dukes came away with a pair of 3-0 victories at the JMU Softball Complex on Friday afternoon.

Mason (16-32, 2-18 CAA), which earned the series win last weekend against Delaware, could not find similar success in the twinbill against the Dukes (31-14, 11-8), as the Patriots were no-hit in the opening game and posted just two in the nightcap.

JMU starter Meredith Felts improved to 16-4 as she recorded the second no-hitter in Dukes history, striking out 12 while issuing three walks. Meanwhile, the Dukes took the lead in the fourth inning as an RBI single by Ashley Burnham put JMU ahead, 1-0.

The Dukes added two more runs off of Mason starter Becky Anderson (8-21) in the sixth inning when Kaitlyn Wernside's triple to left field drove in two runners. Anderson pitched a complete game in the losing error.

When the teams returned to the field for game two, the JMU defense still held strong as they did not allow a hit until the sixth inning, when freshman Rachael Davies singled to center field. Two innings earlier, the Dukes took a 1-0 lead with an RBI bunt single by Chel'sea Ryan.

After JMU added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, coming on a Burnham two-run home run, Anderson led off the seventh with a double to left-center field for Mason's second hit of the afternoon. She would move within 60 feet of home plate with one out, but two straight outs sealed the shutout victory for the Dukes and starter Jenny Clohan (15-8).

Freshman Miranda Cranford was tagged with the loss as her season record fell to 7-8 after a complete-game performance.

The teams return to action tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. for the series finale, which will also mark the conclusion of the 2009 season for the Patriots.