HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison softball scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to walk off Marshall and take Friday’s series-opener by a score of 8-7 at Veterans Memorial Park.

In a game that featured three lead changes in the final three innings, the Dukes (22-16, 6-7 SBC) brought home two runs on an RBI single from Payton List and scored the winning run on an error. JMU finished with eight runs and nine hits, while Marshall fell to 20-19 and 6-7 in Sun Belt action on seven runs, 13 hits, and three errors.

List, who also picked up the win in the circle, finished 2-for-3 and smacked her fourth home run of the season at the plate. KK Mathis finished 1-for-3 with her eighth long ball of the season, while Madison Edwards finished 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Reed Butler notched her 15th multi-hit game of the season, finishing 2-for-3 out of the leadoff spot. Hallie Hall also recorded two hits, going 2-for-4, while Jasmine Hall also picked up a hit and finished 1-for-3.

How It Happened
• A home run and RBI single gave Marshall a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning.
• The Dukes loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom half but only brought across one run on a fielding error from the Herd.
• Marshall’s Reagan Glanz stretched Marshall’s lead to 4-1 in the top of the third with a home run, the Herd’s second of the contest.
• List lined a home run to center field on the first pitch in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Marshall lead to 4-2.
• The Herd got that run back in the top of the fifth as Rielly Lucas snuck an RBI single through the right side, pushing the lead back to 5-2.
• Mathis answered right back with her eighth home run of the season to trim the Marshall lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth.
• JMU grabbed another run on an error to make it 5-4, and Edwards looped a double down the right-field line to bring home a pair of runners and give the Dukes a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the fifth.
• Lucas gave the Herd back the lead in the top of the sixth on a two-RBI single through the right side.
• Needing one run to tie and two to win, Henzler was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the seventh.
• After Henzler advanced on a wild pitch, Kate Carrier moved her to third on a sacrifice bunt.
• List ripped an RBI single through the left side to tie the game at 7-7 and Marshall’s third error allowed the winning run to score and give JMU the 8-7 win.

Game Notes
• Alissa Humphrey made the 99th appearance and 63rd start of her career.
• The Dukes won just their third game this season when trailing after six innings.
• With her 2-for-3 effort, List is hitting .390 in Sun Belt Conference play with two home runs and a team-leading nine RBI.
• JMU is now 13-3 at Veterans Memorial Park this season.
• Mathis’ home run is the 93rd hit of her career and 20th home run.

Up Next
JMU looks to take the series tomorrow against Marshall, with the first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. from Veterans Memorial Park. The game can be seen on ESPN+ ($) as Corey Spector and Grace McCabe will provide commentary, while Dave Riggert will provide radio coverage through the Varsity Network App and 106.9 FM.

— JMU Athletics —