HARRISONBURG, Va. - Katie Lingmai threw her first career no-hitter to lead the Tigers past James Madison, 9-0 on Sunday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association play. The no-hitter was the eighth in the Tigers' (30-16, 9-6 CAA) program history and first since Jessica Fisher threw two in 2005.
The win on Sunday also allowed the Tigers to reach the 30-win plateau on the season. It is the third straight year and 11th time in the last 12 years the team has reached the mark under Head Coach Lisa Costello.
"Katie pitched an incredible game for us and really took care of business," said Costello. "I thought our defense was very good behind her and we made some nice adjustments at the plate."
Lingmai was dominating from the start as she allowed the Dukes just one base runner through the first five innings. That runner reached on a Tiger error in the first but was stranded as Lingmai got the final two outs of the frame.
Towson got its offense going in the top of the fifth inning. Rachel Miller led off with a single and was sacrificed to second by Kim Lempa. Sammi DiPompo singled to put runners on first and third and brought about a James Madison pitching change. Following the change in the circle, Mindy Bean hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Miller.
The Tigers would add another run in the top of the sixth. Erika Stasch led off with her second career home run to left field.
The Dukes had a runner reach on a lead-off walk in the sixth but Lingmai retired the next three batters to end the inning.
Towson broke the game open with seven runs in the top of the seventh. The Tigers batted around plus three in the inning. Bean led off with a single and scored on a wild pitch before adding an RBI single on her second at-bat of the frame. Andrea Stevenson had a two-run single in the inning while Lempa and DiPompo also had RBIs.
James Madison had one more chance in the bottom of the seventh. Lingmai issued a one-out walk but the runner was quickly erased on a double play to end the game.
Lingmai earned her 12th win of the season in the circle. She struck out six in her 13th complete game of the season. Lingmai faced just two batters over the minimum in the game. Cara Stecher was one of three Dukes pitchers to work in the game. She took the loss after giving up three runs on nine hits in five innings. Heather Widner and Olivia McPherson combined to throw the other two innings and gave up six runs.
Every member of the Tigers' starting line-up had at least one hit on the day. DiPompo led the hit parade with three base knocks and an RBI. Miller, Bean and Stevenson all had two hits. Miller would add two runs scored while Bean had a run scored and two RBIs. Stevenson also had a run scored and two RBIs. Stasch finished with one hit, two runs scored and an RBI.
Towson returns to action when it hosts Coppin State on Wednesday, April 28. The Tigers and Eagles are scheduled to play a doubleheader at 3:30 p.m.
-- TIGERS --
