Softball Travels to JMU for First Showdown in Harrisonburg

HATTIESBURG, Miss.-Southern Miss Softball (20-22, 7-7 Sun Belt) heads to Harrisonburg, Va., for the first time in program history to take on James Madison (19-21, 5-10 Sun Belt) in a three-game series starting Thursday at 4 p.m. CT.

The Golden Eagles aim to rebound after dropping three games to conference-leading Texas State last week, snapping their streak of three consecutive Sun Belt series victories, the program's longest since 2016.

JMU, meanwhile, enters the series with momentum, coming off back-to-back road series wins over Georgia State and Louisiana. The Dukes won their midweek game against George Mason 9-0 on Tuesday.

Weekend Schedule

Thursday, April 17
At JMU
4 p.m. CT
ESPN+: https://bit.ly/42e3SUr
Live Stats: https://smttt.info/Stats

Friday, April 18
At JMU
4 p.m. CT
ESPN+: https://bit.ly/4jxIb7w
Live Stats: https://smttt.info/Stats

Saturday, April 19
At JMU
9 a.m. CT
ESPN+: https://bit.ly/3EoLRtu
Live Stats: https://smttt.info/Stats

Southern Miss Notes

Freshman outfielder Hannah Christian produced four hits in the team's series against Texas State, extending her hitting streak to 15 games, which is the longest by a Golden Eagle freshman in program history. Christian is one game shy of tying the program's longest streak since Hannah Borden's 16-game hitting streak last season. Hannah Christian leads the team with 47 hits this season, including 21 in conference play, which rank as the third most in the league. She also paces the Golden Eagles with 26 runs scored, 11 stolen bases and has also been hit by ten pitches. Christian has the most hits by a Golden Eagle freshman since Jana Lee in 2022 (51) and the most runs scored by a Golden Eagle freshman since Destini Brown in 2018 (30).

Jana Lee continues to climb the program's all-time doubles list, tying her former teammate Hannah Borden, for the fifth most doubles in program history (38). Lee is four doubles away from tying the program record of 42, set by Tata Davis.
1.Tata Davis- 42 Doubles (231 games)
2. Ashley Davis- 41 Doubles (240 games)
3. Megan Hill- 40 Doubles (220 games)
4. Sarah Evans- 39 Doubles (215 games)
T5. Hannah Borden- 38 Doubles (224 games)
T5. Jana Lee- 38 Doubles (177 games)

Lee is one of four players in the Sun Belt with ten or more walks in conference play this season.

Freshman pitcher Kayla Giardina's 70 strikeouts lead the team and rank tenth in the Sun Belt and second among all freshmen in the lead. Georgia Southern's Maddie Johnson leads all freshmen in the Sun Belt with 100 strikeouts.

Southern Miss ranks within the Top 100 in RPI in the country at No. 90. The Golden Eagles are one of seven teams representing the Sun Belt in the list (Coastal Carolina, Texas State, Louisiana, Georgia Southern, Troy, ULM and Southern Miss).

Graduate student Mikaila Fox, coming off of a Sun Belt Player of the Week award against ULM, continued her multi-hit game streak to five games with two hits Friday against Texas State.

Scouting James Madison

James Madison is led by eighth-year head coach Loren LaPorte, who has led the Dukes to three NCAA Regionals, a Super Regional and an appearance in the 2021 Women's College World Series. In eight seasons, LaPorte has compiled a record of 246-117.

After opening Sun Belt play 0-9, the Dukes went on a seven game winning streak, including sweeps of Georgia State and a series win at Louisiana.

Payton List leads the Dukes with 44 hits and 28 RBI, batting at .378 batting average with a .724 slugging percentage. Her 11 home runs rank seventh in the league. List also leads the team in the circle with a 2.92 ERA, which ranks sixth in the Sun Belt.

Kirsten Fleet has tossed 87 innings for the Dukes with a team-high 61 strikeouts.

Raegan Wall has stolen 15 bases this season, tied for the third most in the Sun Belt.

Series History

Southern Miss and JMU met for the first time last season, splitting a pair of games. The Golden Eagles won 3-2 against the Dukes at the River City Leadoff, while the Dukes picked up a 6-2 victory in the first round of the Sun Belt Championship Tournament.

For the latest information on Southern Miss Softball, follow the program on Facebook (facebook.com/SouthernMissSB), Twitter (@SouthernMissSB) and Instagram (@southernmisssb).

Softball Travels to JMU for First Showdown in Harrisonburg

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hannah Borden

Hannah Christian

Mikaila Fox

Kayla Giardina

Jana Lee

Softball Travels to JMU for First Showdown in Harrisonburg

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Hannah Borden

Hannah Christian

Mikaila Fox

Kayla Giardina

Jana Lee

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