JMU Softball Falls to LSU in Heartbreaking Super Regional

She is turning into the GOAT!

Well, that was as sad a day of JMU sports as we can remember since the loss to Montana in the ‘o8 football semis. After winning in dramatic fashion Friday night on Jessica Mrozek’s walk-off hit to take a 1-0 lead in the best of three series against LSU, JMU was unable to win either game that would’ve sent them to the College World Series on Saturday, dropping two tough ones 2-0 and 3-2. In the second game, the Dukes had the bases loaded and all-time program great Senior Jailyn Ford at the plate with two outs in the last inning. Alas, even mighty Casey does indeed strike out sometimes.

In giving up only 2, 2, and 3 runs to LSU’s dynamic lineup in each game, there can be absolutely no complaint about the pitching from JMU’s two rockstars in Ford and sophomore Megan Good. This is especially true given Ford’s minor injury suffered in Game 1 which forced Good into action more than was probably expected. Ford returned to the circle for Game 3 despite the injury and toughed out five strong innings to give the Dukes every chance. We’re not going to dwell on the game details, but a surprisingly shaky defensive performance throughout the series and an almost surreal inability to get the big hit doomed the Dukes to ending the greatest season in program history a week earlier than they would’ve liked. JMU had runners on base throughout the series and looked every bit the Tigers equal (mostly seeming the slightly better squad), but just could never get that clutch hit to bring those runners around.

But despite that frustration and the sad ending, 50 wins is 50 wins. When you finish a season 50-6 in anything, you don’t hang your heads for even a second. And when the only two losses at home all season were in a NCAA SuperRegional, you simply tip your cap to the Bayou Bengals and say you earned it and good luck in OKC.

Seniors Jailyn Ford, Hannah Hayes, and Erica Field have been the most important trio in program history in taking JMU Softball to an entirely new level and we thank them for everything they’ve done! And if Coach Dean can find another great arm to take the reins from Ford and pair with Good, there’s clearly the possibility for two more years as a strong national contender. Not to mention that with unbelievable crowds we saw at JMU’s fantastic new facilities, all the ESPN love, and again, that 50-6 record which included a brutal out-of-conference schedule, it’s going to be fun to see just how high the Dukes “start” the season next year in what is usually a ridiculously P5-biased sport.