BOONE, N.C. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison dropped game one of its Sun Belt Conference softball series at App State, falling 5-2 on Friday evening at the Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium.

Despite an early lead for the Dukes (20-21, 7-9 Sun Belt), the Mountaineers (26-16, 5-11 Sun Belt) took advantage of a fifth-inning grand slam to take the lead for good.

For JMU, Payton list was 1-for-2 with an RBI double while Taylor Johnson tied her career high with four strikeouts across four innings while conceding just three hits.

Macy Hamby’s lone hit was App’s grand slam, and Grace Barrett was the only player from either team to record a pair of base hits. Sophie Moshos earned the win after conceding two runs and six hits with a strikeout.

How It Happened:
• JMU wasted no time getting on the board, as List delivered a double to right center in the top of the first to drive in Kylee Gleason.
• App responded in the fourth with a sacrifice fly to left, tying the game at 1-1.
• In the fifth, the hosts loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk before Hamby cleared the left field fence to give the Mountaineers a 5-1 advantage.
• Cali Legzdin singled to left in the sixth to bring home Reaghan Warner, trimming JMU’s deficit to 5-2, but the Dukes would manage just one hit the rest of the game.

Up Next:
James Madison will look to even the series with App on Saturday, April 18 in game two, which is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch.

— JMU Athletics —