Softball Smashes Its Way To Eighth Straight Win at JMU Invitational

Box Score

March 15, 2013

Box Score

Harrisonburg, Va. - Following four home runs in the team's last game, the Fordham softball team picked up right where it left off on Friday, as Paige Ortiz, Elise Fortier, and Kayla Lombardo each homered, as the Rams opened the JMU Invitational with a 12-1 win over host James Madison in five innings at Veterans Memorial Field in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

With the win, Fordham improved to 13-9 on the season and have now won eight in a row. James Madison fell to 16-7 with the loss.

After a scoreless first inning, Fordham exploded for five runs in the top of the second inning, using the long ball. Michele Daubman opened the frame with a walk and moved to second on a bunt single by Chelsea Palumbo. Paige Ortiz followed with a three-run home run to left for her first of the season.

Later in the inning, Elise Fortier hit a two-run round tripper to left, her fifth of the season, scoring Jamie LaBovick, who reached on a single.

Fordham tacked on two runs in the third and three in the fourth, extending the lead to 10-0. In the third, Kayla Lombardo drew a walk and scored on a triple to right center by Palumbo. Palumbo later scored on a passed ball.

Paige Ortiz hit the first of three home runs on the afternoon for Fordham.

Then in the fourth inning, with two on and one out, Lombardo connected for a three-run home run to center, the first of her career.

The Rams added two more runs in the fifth, eventually winning by a 12-1 score in five innings.

The 12 runs were more than enough for LaBovick, as she improved to 8-6 on the season. She threw four innings of three-hit ball with two strikeouts, allowing just a solo home run to Sarah Mooney in the fourth. Patti Maloney wrapped up the game with a scoreless inning of relief.

At the plate, Palumbo led the way, going 3-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Lombardo and Ortiz each had three RBI in the game. Fortier finished 1-for-2 with a home run, two walks, two runs scored, and two RBI.

The Rams continue play at the JMU Invitational on Saturday with games against Detroit at 9:00 AM and Binghamton at 11:00 AM.