HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics )– James Madison softball (8-7) wrapped up the Lakeside Book Company Invitational in its home-opening weekend with a four-run sixth inning to power past Hofstra (3-9) 5-3 at Veterans Memorial Park Sunday afternoon.

Graduate Kylee Gleason and junior Madison Edwards both had a pair of hits to lead JMU at the plate, while sophomore Cali Legzdin drove home two runs. Gleason went 2-for-3 with an RBI while Edwards finished 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

In the circle, junior Kirsten Fleet improved to 6-1 this season with her second complete game and finished with eight strikeouts – one shy of her career high.

How it Happened:

Third Inning
• Bella Henzler drove in the first run of the ball game with a single to right field to put the Dukes ahead 1-0.

Fourth Inning
• The Pride answered a half inning later, scoring a run on a fielding error after a double put a runner in scoring position.

Sixth Inning
• JMU strung together four consecutive singles to begin the inning, loading the bases before Legzdin’s base hit brought in two runs to break the one-all tie.
• James Madison added two more runs in the frame with back-to-back sacrifice flies from Gleason and Edwards, keeping the Dukes in control at 5-1.

Seventh Inning
• Hofstra got within two runs on a pair of run-scoring singles, but the Dukes forced a groundout to secure the 5-3 win.

Game Notes
• The Dukes finished the weekend 3-1 against Buffalo and Hofstra, combining for 32 runs on 42 hits with 11 home runs, seven doubles and 32 RBI across the four contests.

Up Next:

The Dukes are slated to face Michigan at Veterans Memorial Park on Wednesday, March 4 at 4 p.m.

— JMU Athletics —