CHARLESTON, S.C. – Indiana State softball started their season off on a positive note, shutting out James Madison 2-0 on Friday afternoon at Patriots Point in Charleston.
 
Friday's nights action at the Charleston Invitational has been paused due to rain. Play will continue tomorrow at 10 a.m. beginning with the College of Charleston vs Chattanooga. The Sycamores contest against CofC will be played immediately following that game.
 
The Action
Indiana State broke a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the third when Abi Chipps stole second and scored on a Danielle Henning single to left field to give the Sycamores a 1-0 lead after three innings of play. Isabella Henning also added a base hit in the frame.
 
In the top of the fourth, Lexi Benko stranded runners at second and third as she got a JMU hitter swinging with her third strikeout of the afternoon. ISU would extend their lead in the bottom half of the frame when TeAnn Bringle launched a solo shot to left field which put the Trees up 2-0 after four.
 
Benko worked another 1-2-3 inning in the fifth with a pair of strikeouts to raise her total to five for the game. She would pick up another strikeout in the sixth as she sat the Dukes down in order once again.
 
The Sycamores held their 2-0 lead into the seventh inning where JMU threatened with a one-out double where the runner moved to third on a groundout. With two outs in the final frame, second basemen Abi Chipps made a great diving stop on a ground ball and threw the JMU runner out at first to end the game.
 
Benko finished the complete game shutout with seven strikeouts, allowing just three hits on the afternoon. The Sycamores also finished with three hits for the game.
 
Due to inclement weather, the game against CofC scheduled for 5:30 on Friday has been postponed until Saturday. Weather permitting, it will be played around noon following the completion of the CofC vs. Chattanooga contest which will start at 10 a.m.

For the latest information on Sycamore Softball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.