James Madison University softball won against Marshall University with a 5-3 victory on May 1, evening the series at Dot Hicks Field.
The win brings James Madison’s record to 26-23 overall and 12-11 in conference play. With this result, the Dukes force a decisive third game against Marshall, which stands at 37-15 overall and 17-6 in Sun Belt Conference play.
Kendra Lewis contributed by going two-for-four with two runs scored and an RBI. Emily LeGrand also went two-for-four, hitting two doubles and collecting two RBIs. Payton List added two RBIs for the Dukes, while Cali Legzdin scored once.
The scoring began when List grounded out to bring home the first run. LeGrand followed with a double that drove in Lewis for an early lead of 2-0. In the fourth inning, Paige Simpson of Marshall hit a two-run homer to tie the game. However, James Madison responded in the fifth inning: Lewis hit an RBI double before List singled up the middle for another run. LeGrand then hit her second RBI double of the night to put James Madison back ahead.
Marshall managed one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning but could not overtake James Madison as they held on for victory. The teams will meet again Saturday at noon for a deciding game three, which will be streamed on ESPN+.
