NEWS RELEASE
March. 20, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alexis Cooper, Director of Communications
lexiecooperrr@gmail.com
HARRISONBURG, Va. – In a dramatic showdown, James Madison University’s softball team secured a 3-1 victory over Texas State on Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park. Sophomore KK Mathis stole the show with a walk-off home run, propelling JMU to victory and ending Texas State’s nine-game winning streak.
JMU displayed an impressive offensive performance with three runs and eight hits, while Texas State struggled to keep up, managing only one run on six hits. Mathis, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, emerged as a key player in the game. Reed Butler extended her on-base streak to 20 consecutive games, contributing to JMU’s offensive prowess.
On the defensive side, Payton List delivered a stellar performance, both at the plate and in the circle. List not only went 2-for-3 at bat with an RBI but also secured her sixth win of the season as a pitcher with 4.0 innings of solid work. The combined efforts of List, Kirsten Fleet, and Alissa Humphrey limited Texas State’s potent lineup to just one run.
The game was a nail-biter, with Texas State taking an early lead in the fourth inning. However, JMU quickly responded, tying the game at 1-1. The seventh inning saw Texas State loading the bases but failing to capitalize, leading to an intense final inning where Mathis sealed the victory with her walk-off heroics.
This win marks JMU’s second victory against Texas State this season and sets the stage for their upcoming game against the Maryland Terrapins in College Park, Md. The team’s resilience and standout performances bode well for their future matchups as they continue their quest for success in the Sun Belt Conference.