JMU hits road after CAA sweep

Dukes look to rebound against Radford, GW

The JMU softball team opened the Colonial Athletic Association portion of its season last weekend and it didn’t go as well as hoped.

The Dukes (0-3 CAA, 13-16 overall) were swept in a three-game series by Towson University March 25-27 at the JMU Softball Complex — four days after winning the JMU Softball Invitational tournament.

"I really don’t know what happened," JMU senior Katie Jaworski said, who went 2 for 5 with a run batted in the series.

Going into the matchup, the Dukes had won six out of their last seven games and seemed to be riding a hot streak into conference play.

"Right now, we’re disappointed," JMU senior pitcher/center fielder Liz George said. "But we’re not giving up because we have plenty of games left."

George went 3 for 9 with two doubles and run-scored.

After the first round of CAA action, Towson sits in first place, followed by George Mason University, Drexel University, the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, the University of Delaware and Hofstra University with JMU bringing up the rear.

"The results of last weekend are completely upside-down from what anyone expected," JMU softball coach Katie Flynn said. "Look at the standings and they’re inverted from the preseason polls. Certainly, they suggest a much more even playing field than anyone expected."

JMU dropped its first game to Towson 3-2, the second 1-0 and the third 6-2. In the first two games, starting pitchers, left-hander George and junior right-hander Briana Carrera both turned in complete games for losing efforts.

George took the ball in game one, giving up seven hits and two earned runs, while striking out six. In game two, Carrera relinquished only three hits while allowing one earned run. The Dukes’ offense managed four hits and no run-support for the San Diego native.

Both hurlers pitched in game three. George got the starting nod and took the loss, dropping her record to 6-4. Carrera’s stands at 5-7.

"The offense will come around," Carrera said. "Until then, you’ve got to hold them. There is a little more pressure, but nothing we’re not used to."

The Dukes don’t return to CAA action until April 9 when they visit third-place Drexel for a doubleheader Between now and then, JMU has dates with the Big South’s Radford University (20-14) and George Washington University (6-16) of the Atlantic 10.

"Every year we’re going to see Radford and GW," Flynn said. "You’ve got to get up for everyone you see. Radford is playing extremely well. We can’t take them lightly.

"GW is really athletic, but really young."

Last year, George Washington was really hurt. The Colonials called it a season after seven games in 2004 due to injuries that were so numerous they left GW without enough players to field a team.

Counting last year’s abbreviated campaign, this season is only the third in which George Washington has had a softball program.

"They have the growing pains associated with a first or second year program," Flynn said.

The Dukes see Radford first, visiting the Highlanders Friday for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.