HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.- Towson University senior Kelli Lyons hit an RBI single and freshman centerfielder Olivia Yarbrough had two hits, but it wasn't enough as the James Madison Dukes defeated the Tigers 8-1 on Thursday night at the Colonial Athletic Association tournament at Hofstra University. With the win, James Madison advanced to the CAA Championship game against Hofstra. Towson (30-28-1) was eliminated from the tournament.

The Dukes (41-14) scored two runs in the first inning on a single by freshman Erica Field to take an early 2-0 lead on the Tigers and senior pitcher Katie Lingmai.

After James Madison added another run in the top half of the second inning, the Tigers responded and cut the Duke lead to 3-1 when Lyons singled home Bina Abbott and keep the Tigers within striking distance after two innings.

Lingmai, throwing her second game of the day after a masterful performance against Delaware, was tested by the solid Dukes' offense. James Madison had five players with batting averages above .324 in the lineup against Lingmai, though she settled in nicely following the fourth inning.

Over the final three innings of the game, Lingmai allowed only two baserunners and one run.

James Madison starting pitcher Jailyn Ford gave up six Tiger hits and also hit a home run in the seventh inning, while CAA Player of the Year sophomore Sarah Mooney went 2-for-4 at the plate with two homers, three runs batted in and three runs scored.

Field had two hits and two RBI's.

For the Tigers, sophomore infielders Hailey Balk and Macie McGeehan each had hits, while senior Erin Wolfe had a pinch-hit single down the left field line in the final at-bat of her career.

Junior third baseman Delanie Dunham led the team on the season with a .311 batting average and 41 runs batted in. Dunham, Abbott and freshman Caitie Barber tied for the team lead with six home runs.