HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – Kayla Giardina shut down the James Madison softball offense, as timely hits helped Southern Miss to a 2-0 shutout win in the series finale of the three-game set on Saturday afternoon in Sun Belt Conference play at Veterans Memorial Park

Jana Lee and Paris Ferguson were the difference makers at the plate for Southern Miss (21-24, 8-9 SBC) as Lee drilled a home run over the left-center field wall to put the Lady Eagles on the board and Paris Ferguson came up a timely hit in the fourth.

Giardina was dominant in the circle, throwing a two-hit shutout and allowing just two infield singles on the day, including retiring the last 13 JMU (21-22, 7-11 SBC) batters she faced.

Madalyn Johnson threw 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out a pair. Payton List came on in relief, pitching 2.2 scoreless frames and two hits, including escaping a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh.

List and Raegan Wall were responsible for the two infield singles for the Dukes, as the only other baserunner for James Madison was a Jasmine Hall hit-by-pitch.

How It Happened

Second Inning
• Jana Lee took a 1-0 pitch deep to left center to put Southern Miss on the board 1-0

Fourth Inning
• Paris Ferguson singled through the left side to score the runner from third, pushing the lead to 2-0

Game Notes
• James Madison drops to 3-2 in the all-time series against Southern Miss
• Wall extended her hitting streak to a career-best three games
• The Dukes did not record a strikeout for the third time this season

Up Next
James Madison will wrap up the five-game homestand with a midweek contest, as they welcome Virginia to town on Tuesday, April 22 at 5 p.m.

— JMU Athletics —