BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech softball team downed No. 6 James Madison in game one on Wednesday night, marking the highest ranked opponent defeated at Tech Softball Park in program history. After the setback in game two, the Hokies hold a 20-17 record while the Dukes sit at 31-3.

The 2016 Hokies put their name in the record books with the 2-1 win over No. 6 James Madison on Wednesday. Before tonight, the highest ranked opponent defeated at Tech Softball Park was No. 11 Houston in 2008. In addition, the victory over No. 6 is the highest-ranking win since the Hokies defeated Michigan in the 2008 Super Regional in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The most recent ranked opponent defeated at home was No. 22 Notre Dame when the Hokies took a 3-2 win from the Irish in 2014.

Freshman catcher Lauren Duff extended her hitting streak to 18 games with a single in each, sitting second in program history behind Kelly Brown’s 24 hits in 2005.

Senior pitcher Maggie Tyler threw her 15th win of the 2016, tying her single-season high set in both 2014 and 2015.

Game one’s pitchers’ duel went in favor of the Hokies as Tech scored two runs in the second while the Dukes could only come up with one. Perfect fielding the Hokies kept the runners from coming home to secure the milestone win.

Duff lengthened her streak in the first inning of the game but Tech was not able to convert until the second. Kelsey Mericka and Emma Strouth singled to put the Hokies in scoring position. After a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch, Tech was in prime position as Breanna Davenport stepped into the box. The sophomore knocked a single to shallow right field, driving in two runs to give the Hokies the two-run lead.

The Dukes answered back in the third inning with a single by Megan Good who was later brought home by Taylor Newton.

Davenport doubled to center in hopes of lengthening the margin in the fifth, just as JMU’s Newton did the same in the sixth. However, both were left on base to finalize the Hokies’ 2-1 win.

Tyler tossed eight strikeouts in her 14th complete game of the season while JMU's Megan Good earned her took her second loss.

JMU proved their No. 6 ranking in game two, taking the win in six innings. Both teams were held scoreless in the first before the Dukes’ Nike Prince sent a three-run homer to center in the second. A double play by Caitlyn Nolan and Katey Smith got the Hokies out of the jam in the frame.

The Dukes put up two more runs in the third but the Hokies’ answered back in the bottom of the inning. Jessie Mehr and Vanessa Gonzalez sent back-to-back singles to the outfield before Davenport stepped up to the plate. Mehr capitalized on a JMU error to come home. Olivia Lattin singled followed by a walk to load the bases. However, Tech could not convert, leaving six on base throughout the second game.

The Dukes added one run in the fourth and four in the sixth. Jailyn Ford’s two-RBI home run, lengthened the margin to nine runs heading to the sixth for the 10-1 decision.

Tech notched four hits on JMU’s 2016 two-time CAA conference pitcher of the week Ford in game two, including a hit in the bottom of the sixth. However, Ford collected her 12th win of the season.

Mikaela Aiken took the loss in 2.1 innings of work before Chelsea Whitcomb closed out the final 3.2 innings.

Tech resumes ACC play at Louisville this weekend. The Hokies and Cardinals will face off in a doubleheader Saturday at noon followed by a single game Sunday.

For updates on Virginia Tech softball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Softball