Photo Courtesy of CAA Conference
Harrisonburg, Va. (May 9, 2014) – Senior Caitlin Sandy led a balanced offensive attack with a two-run double and junior pitcher Heather Kiefer came in relief to earn the win in the circle as top-seeded James Madison defeated fourth-seeded Towson, 4-0, to win the 2014 CAA Softball Championship at James Madison University’s Veterans Memorial Park.
Sandy, 2014 CAA Softball Player of the Year, was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player for the Dukes, who obtained a rare clean sweep by winning the CAA regular season and championship title. It’s the program’s second league softball crown overall, with the first occurring in 2009.
The Dukes (44-13) were also led by senior Cassidy Clayton and junior pitcher/designated player Jailyn Ford, both of whom knocked in a run in the victory. Sophomore Hannah Hayes and freshman Tahli Moore each collected two hits, while Moore also added a run scored.
Ford, who was named to the All-Tournament team, started for James Madison for the third straight game but was relieved by Kiefer after one inning. Kiefer (20-7) picked up the win after allowing three hits to go along with three strikeouts over six frames.
Towson (29-25), making its 10th overall appearance in the CAA Championship and second straight, twice stayed alive on Thursday in back-to-back elimination contests. The fourth-seeded Tigers impressively defeated the No. 2 seed College of Charleston Cougars as well as two-time defending champion Hofstra, the third seed, in back-to-back fashion.
Junior pitcher Missy McCormick fell to 17-11 on the year for the Tigers in defeat. She tossed a ridiculous 239 pitches alone on Thursday and headed to the circle again on Friday for her fourth start of the tournament. A three-run third inning doomed the righty on Friday, as she was charged with all four runs on nine hits.
Madison, which will represent the conference in the 2014 NCAA Softball Tournament, upped its own single-season program wins record to 44. The NCAA Division I Softball Selection Show will be Sunday, May 11 at 10 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.
Towson looked to make some noise early in the second following back-to-back walks drawn by McCormick and senior Delanie Dunham. It was at that time that Dukes’ coach Mickey Dean decided to pull Ford for Kiefer.
TU freshman Holiday Cahill came to bat and immediately dropped a nice bunt just past Kiefer, putting the pressure on the hosts with the bases loaded and no outs. Fellow freshman Jessica South followed and hit a sharp grounder to Sandy at short. Sandy alertly collected the ball and threw home for the force out and then catcher Erica Field completed the double play with a toss to third, bringing the Dukes, and the crowd to its feet.
Kiefer ended the threat and the inning by striking out sophomore Courtney Johnson.
Moore helped the Dukes jump on the board in the third with a leadoff single. She then moved to second on a wild pitch, but McCormick settled down and forced two quick outs. Erica Field drew a crucial walk to keep the frame alive and Ford, who remained in the game as a batter, came through with a RBI single.
Strangely, Sandy appeared at the plate next and seemed to hit a harmless blooper to center. Three TU players converged on the ball, but it dropped in between as Sandy ended up on second before two runs crossed home plate to make it 4-0.
The cushion proved to be enough for the hosts, as Towson never truly threatened down the stretch. JMU added an extra insurance run in the sixth after freshman Taylor Newton smacked a leadoff double before Clayton ripped a single down the line to plate Newton.
Friday’s title game appearance was Towson’s first final since 2009, with the last occurrence ironically also coming versus the Dukes. That’s also the last time James Madison won the crown, downing the Tigers 11-1 that year. Ford, who won 2014 CAA Pitcher of the Year honors, entered the game with a 23-6 record on the season to lead all CAA pitchers. She also finished the tournament having moved into second on the school’s all-time list with 428 career strikeouts, passing Jenny Clohan (2006-09).
2014 CAA All-Tournament Team
Holiday Cahill, Towson
Erica Field, James Madison
Jaylin Ford, James Madison
Maggie Hawkins, Hofstra
Hannah Hayes, James Madison
Missy McCormick, Towson
Rebecca Muller, College of Charleston
Caitlin Sandy, James Madison (MOP)
Jessica South, Towson
Erin Trippi, Hofstra
Lizzy Vaughn, College of Charleston
