JMU advanced to its second straight softball title game with a 13-2 win over Elon.
Dukes Cruise Past Elon, Head To Title Game
Tim McDonnell
#CAAChamps Central | Boxscore | Highlights
HARRISONBURG, Va. (May 6, 2015) – Three different players hit home runs to pace a strong offensive effort as top-seeded James Madison advanced to the title game with a 13-2 win over third-seeded Elon on Thursday in the final game of Day 2 at the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Softball Championship.
JMU Freshman starter Megan Good got back to her winning ways after being tagged with the first loss of her career earlier on Thursday against Hofstra in Game 3 of the tournament. The righty, who now sits at 28-1 on the year, allowed one hit to go with three strikeouts over three innings of work.
Junior catcher Erica Field had two hits, including a three-run homer, while sophomore Taylor Newton and freshman Jessica Mrozek each hit a home run and three RBI as well for Madison.
The No. 17/18 Dukes had their nation-leading 36-game winning streak come to an end in crushing fashion against the Pride in the first game on Thursday. Hofstra junior Caryn Bailey smacked a two-out, three-run homer to give her team the lead and eventual 5-3 victory.
The two teams will meet again for the league’s trophy and automatic NCAA bid on Friday at noon, with the Dukes needing two victories over the Pride in order to claim their second straight title, while the Pride need just one win to clinch their third championship in the last four seasons.
Third-seeded Elon advanced to the final game of Day 2 after beating Towson to stay alive in the tournament. The Phoenix were led by freshman Hannah Olson and senior Aly Quintana, who each drove in one run in defeat. EU made its first appearance in the league’s softball championship and concludes the year with a 31-22 record.
Junior righty Kayla Caruso (12-5) absorbed the loss, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks.
The Dukes jumped on the scoreboard in the second inning with eight runs, while Elon was forced to use three pitchers in the frame. Madison’s offensive output was highlighted by a three-run homer from Mrozek, Good’s two-run double and Newton’s RBI single.
JMU scored five in the third behind a three-run shot from Field and a two-run knock from Newton. The Dukes continued to roll the remainder of the contest.
All games of the 2015 CAA Softball Championship will be broadcast for free and live on
CAA.tv. The title game on Friday can be watched via the American Sports Network (ASN) at 5:00 p.m. Visit the CAA Softball
Championship Central page for live stats, box scores, game recaps, video highlights and much more. Be sure to follow the CAA on Twitter (
@CAASports) and on
Instagram using the hashtag,
#CAAChamps, for up-to-date and behind the scenes coverage.
2015 CAA SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
(Veterans Memorial Park | Harrisonburg, Va.)
Wednesday, May 6
Game 1: #1
@JMU_Softball 3, #4
@Towson_SB 2
Game 2: #2
@HofstraSoftball 10, #3
@ElonUSoftball 0 (5)
Thursday, May 7
Game 3: #2
@HofstraSoftball 5, #1
@JMU_Softball 3
Game 4: #3
@ElonUSoftball 8, #4
@Towson_SB 6
Game 5: #1
@JMU_Softball 13, #3
@ElonUSoftball 2 (5)
Friday, May 8
Game 6: #2
@HofstraSoftball vs. #1
@JMU_Softball – Noon
Game 7: If necessary – 30 minutes following G6
Saturday, May 9
Rain Date if necessary