HARRISONBURG, Va. — The Longwood softball team erased a 6-0 deficit, to take a 7-6 lead in the first game of a non-conference softball doubleheader with James Madison Tuesday.

The Dukes, however, scored two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings, posting a 10-7 victory. JMU led, 3-2, through four innings of the second game, before scoring five over the final two innings to sweep, 8-2.

"Lots of positives from the day," said Longwood head coach Dr. Megan Brown. "Lots of good opportunities to work on things as we prepare for a tough weekend series."

James Madison hit five home runs on the day, including one in each game from Bella Henzler. Her first, a two-run lined shot, to left field helped the Dukes regain the lead, 8-7, in game one.

Madison Edwards (two-run shot to center) and Hallie Hall (three-run blast to right-center field) each hit home runs for the Dukes in the second inning as JMU built the lead. 

Lauren Taylor responded with a homer of her own to left center, getting Longwood on the scoreboard at 6-1. Korynna Anderson lined a single to center to score Kayley DeVivi, and Emily Vinson walked to load the bases. Reigning Big South Conference Freshman of the Week Maggie Hiatt plopped a bases-clearing double down the line in right field, pulling the Lancers to within 6-5.

DeVivi launched a one-out homer to right-center off of Molly Grube to give the Lancers the lead, 7-6, in the fourth.

Taylor and DeVivi were a combined 4-for-7 with four runs scored and three RBIs in game one with DeVivi finishing the contest 3-for-4. Five James Madison players collected multiple hits.

Kirsten Fleet (8-3) threw the final 3 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts to earn the pitching win. Payton List and Grube preceded her. 

Longwood freshman lefty Cierra Gawryluk (0-5) took the loss in relief of Er'ron Burton. Gawryluk went 3 2/3 frames herself, allowing four hits and three earned striking out two. She did not issue a walk.

JMU scored a run in each of the first three innings of the second game. The Lancers got on the board in the top of the third when senior Peyton Coleman singled to center field with two out for her first career Longwood hit. She moved to second on a wild pitch and third on a Lauren Fox single. Taylor's single to shortstop allowed Coleman to come home and make it 3-1.

Sophia Knock ended a 26-game homerless drought with a rocket over the wall in center field, leading off the top of the fourth inning. Longwood (14-27) got no closer, though, as Edwards tripled to center, chugging all the way around the bases with the help of a throwing error to make it 5-2. 

Henzler added a three-run homer in the sixth for the final margin.

Coleman led the Lancers in game two with two hits, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and stolen base. Reed Butler was 3-for-4 to pace the Dukes' 11-hit effort.

Burton (1-9) went the distance in the circle for the first time this season, surrendering six earned runs and three walks.

The Lancers are back in action Saturday in a Big South doubleheader against Radford. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.