Jayhawks can’t overcome national power No. 12 James Madison
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ORLANDO, Fla. – Facing one of the best pitchers in the nation and No. 12 James Madison proved to be no easy task as Kansas softball was shut out for the first time in the 2017 season, falling to the Dukes 5-0 in the Citrus Classic II finale on Sunday morning in Orlando, Florida.
The Jayhawks (12-9), coming off a 2-1 loss to another great pitcher in South Alabama’s Devin Brown, were tasked with facing Megan Good of James Madison (16-3), who ranked 10th in the nation in ERA, second in hits allowed per seven innings pitched and second in shutouts prior to this weekend’s games.
Despite not being able to get a run across the board, the Jayhawks did get to Good more than a number of the other teams that went up against the right-handed hurler. Kansas was able to record five hits against Good, which tied the most she has allowed in a game this season, and the Jayhawks struck out less than any other team against the pitcher.
Junior Erin McGinley led the way for Kansas offensively with two base hits and she also recorded her team-leading 11th stolen base this season. Junior Harli Ridling, freshman Madison Sykes and sophomore Emily Bermel each recorded a hit against Good and the Dukes, but the Jayhawks left eight runners stranded in the game.
The Dukes scored one run in each of the first two innings off sophomore starter Alexis Reid, who worked three innings and gave up seven hits to JMU, before freshman Mandy Roberts took over pitching duties in the fourth inning. Roberts allowed two runs in the fifth inning, recording just one out before head coach Megan Smith brought in senior Sophia Templin to complete the game. Roberts finished the day with 1 1/3 innings pitched, allowing four hits and the two runs.
Templin pitched a season-high 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run, a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning. The senior allowed just two hits in her second appearance of the season.
Kansas will open the home schedule next weekend with the Jayhawk Invitational, March 10-13. The Jayhawks will face Green Bay in the home opener on March 10 at 6 p.m., before facing Drake and Green Bay on March 11, and Iowa on March 12 and 13.
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