Highlanders Split with James Madison
Benner Ties Career Strikeout Record

Radford, Va. -- Radford University (7-23) softball split their doubleheader with James Madison (11-18) this afternoon at Dedmon Center Field. Each team ended five-game losing streaks as the Highlanders took game one, 2-1 and the Duke won game two, 4-2. Senior Deana Benner (Glen Burnie, Md.) tied the career strikeout record of 309 with a combined five strikeouts in the two games.

Glynn Tolleson (Tomball, Texas) one-out RBI single off of relief pitcher Briana Carrera scored Donita Brady (Virginia Beach, Va.) with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to give Radford a 2-1 victory in game one. Benner was strong on the mound, tossing a complete-game one-hitter. She allowed an unearned run, while striking out two and walking two. JMU’s Leah Conley suffered the loss, allowing both runs on six hits in 6.1 innings of work.

Tolleson put Radford on the board in the fourth, knocking in Brady from third with a single to left. She finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Brady went 2-for-3 with a pair of scored runs. The Dukes tied it in the fifth without the benefit of a hit. Lauren Curtis would score from second when Tina Rogers (Fairport, N.Y.) dropped Carrera’s deep fly ball, one of four Highlander errors in the game, with two out.

Behind a three-run first, JMU took game two, 4-2. JMU’s Katie Jaworski’s two-run two-out double was the key blow in the inning. Liz George picked up the win, allowing both runs on seven hits and striking out three in six innings. Carerra picked up the save, despite giving up a pair of hits in the bottom of the seventh. Jennifer Bosley (Oakland, Md.) took the loss, giving up three runs on four hits in 0.2 innings. Benner came in relief, allowing a run on four hits and striking out three in 6.1 innings.

In the first, the Dukes put runners of second and third with no outs. After a double play, prevented a run from scoring, Kelly Ann Berkemeier singled up the middle, knocking in Tricia Berryman with the first run. Jaworski, with runners on second and third following an error, roped a double to right center giving JMU a 3-0 lead.

The Highlanders got on the scoreboard in the second on an RBI single by Rogers. The Dukes padded their lead in the fourth on an RBI bunt single by Curtis. Radford cut the lead to 4-2 on a run-scoring single by Katie Lemmert (Fairfax, Va.) in the sixth. With two out an Ashley Smith (Roanoke, Va.) on second, Lemmerts’ ball took an awkward spin and changed directions, tipping off the second baseman’s glove into the outfield. Lindsay Woody went 2-for-4 for the Highlanders, while Curtis also finished 2-for-4 for the Dukes.

Radford will open up Big South play on April 5 when they travel to Rock Hill, S.C. for a double header with Winthrop at 2 p.m.

Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box