The 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament is coming to a close as the 2021 Women’s College World Series is set to start. Get to know each of the eight teams in Oklahoma City who are hoping to head home with a national championship next week.
For the first time ever, the James Madison Dukes are competing in the Women’s College World Series. The Dukes have made a historic run up to this point and are looking to continue shocking foes as they hope to contend for a national championship.
Along with this being the first time James Madison has ever made it to Oklahoma City is the fact that this is the first time ever that a team from the Colonial Athletic Association has made it into the Women’s College World Series. Oh, and it’s the first time since 2012 that a non-seeded team gets to compete in the WCWS as the Dukes were the No. 3 team in the Knoxville Regional, behind Tennessee and Liberty, both of whom lost to James Madison.
The Dukes are making a fascinating Cinderella-type of postseason run through the 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament and they’re a fascinating team to watch. Now it’s time to see how they do in OKC when the spotlight is on them.
Here’s what you need to know about the James Madison Dukes:
Record:
39-2 overall, 17-1 conference
Regional results:
- May 21 vs. Liberty – W, 4-3 (10 innings)
- May 22 vs. Tennessee – W, 3-1
- May 23 vs. Liberty – W, 8-5
Super Regional results:
- Game one: May 28 vs. Missouri – W, 2-1
- Game two: May 29 vs. Missouri – L, 1-7
- Game three: May 30 vs. Missouri – W, 7-2
Players to watch:
- Odicci Alexander – 1.14 ERA, 117 innings pitched, 186 strikeouts
- Alissa Humphrey – 1.51 ERA, 93 innings pitched, 140 strikeouts
- Kate Gordon – .368 batting average, 18 home runs, 55 RBIs
Final thoughts:
James Madison entered into the 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament as a clear underdog and the Dukes are coming into the 2021 WCWS as a very clear underdog as well. The Dukes are a well-balanced team and have overcome every obstacle they’ve come across up to this point. Now let’s see how they fare when facing the best teams in the country in the Women’s College World Series.
CHECK OUT THE FULL WCWS SCHEDULE HERE.
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