University of North Carolina Athletics
Heels To Face Challenging Road Test At No. 6 JMU
April 19, 2016 | Softball
HARRISONBURG, VA. - The Tar Heels enter one of their most challenging weeks of the season, taking on No. 6 James Madison in a midweek road game followed by an ACC series against No. 18 Notre Dame. Wednesday's game against the Dukes will be streamed live on MadiZONE HD, with livestats available at UNCLiveStats.com.
Wednesday's game concludes a nine-game road swing for the Heels, during which Carolina has gone 5-3. The nine-game stretch began with an extra-innings victory at No. 10 Georgia and will end against another top-10 opponent, No. 6 James Madison.
Detailing the Dukes
James Madison (37-3, 12-0 CAA), who rose to its highest ranking in program history this week coming in at No. 6 in both national polls, is enjoying arguably its best season in school history. The Dukes have lost just three games this season, suffering an early 2-1 setback to No. 5 Alabama on opening weekend, falling 8-4 to No. 23 Nebraska, and splitting a doubleheader at Virginia Tech by following a 2-1 loss with a 10-1 run-rule victory. Meanwhile, JMU has shut out No. 17 UCF, No. 12 Tennesee and No. 23 Nebraska, while knocking off No. 3 Auburn and winning three games against ranked Arizona and Arizona State squads.
The Dukes are propelled by one of the nation's top pitching staffs, ranking third in the NCAA with a team ERA of 1.18. Sophomore Megan Good earned CAA Pitcher of the Week honors on Monday after hurling the program's second-ever perfect game on Sunday at Drexel. Good and senior Jailyn Ford both rank in the top-10 in the nation with sub-1.00 ERAs and an average of less than four hits allowed per game. At 23-2, Good leads the country in victories, while the pair have combined to help JMU to a total of 17 shutouts on the season.
Series History
Carolina has faced James Madison 10 times in program history dating back to 2004. The Tar Heels won the first six meetings, including four shutouts, but the Dukes swept doubleheaders the past two seasons to carry a four-game winning streak into Wednesday's matchup.
UNC heads to Harrisonburg for just the second time in program history. JMU defeated Carolina, 5-1 and 7-2, in a home doubleheader on April 16, 2014, in the Tar Heels' only trip.
Upcoming Home Events
Following Wednesday's game, the Tar Heels return to Anderson Stadium for their final homestand of the regular season. Carolina will host No. 18 Notre Dame in an ACC series on April 24-25, then close the home season on Wednesday, April 27, against Campbell. The Notre Dame series begins with a doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, and concludes at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 25. Games one and three of the series will air live on ESPNU.
Sunday will be Senior Day for Carolina softball, when the Tar Heels will honor seniors Kristen Brown, Tracy Chandless, Lauren Fuller, Aquilla Mateen, Erin Satterfield and Elly Wagner for their tremendous contributions throughout their UNC careers. It will also be Kid's Club Day, featuring an inflatable play area for children from 3-6 p.m.
Monday's series finale will be a Carolina Fever event. Fans are encouraged to wear Carolina Blue as part of a BLUE OUT, and the first 100 students in attendance will receive a free #GDTBATH tank top.
