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James Madison University

James Madison University Athletics
 Godwin 206A (261 Bluestone Dr.) / MSC 2301 Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Division 1 Virginia Northeast
Public Very Large National competitor
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Loren LaPorte

Loren LaPorte, formerly Loren Messick, completed her 13th year with the softball team at James Madison University and eighth year as head coach in 2025.


She was originally hired as an assistant coach by then-head coach Mickey Dean in 2012, serving as an assistant coach for five years before being elevated to head coach in September of 2017.


In her eight seasons at the helm, she has led the Dukes to three NCAA Regionals (2018-19, 2021), a Super Regional (2021), and a historic appearance in the 2021 Women's College World Series which saw JMU become the first team in WCWS history to win its first two games as an unseeded team. In her eight seasons, LaPorte has compiled a record of 256-122 (.677), including a mark of 102-45 (.694) in conference play. Across her full 13 years at JMU, the Dukes have racked up a 472-157 (.727) mark, including an 180-49 (.786) record in conference play.


Throughout the 2025 campaign, James Madison posted a 28-26 record, while going 11-13 in its third season as members of the Sun Belt. LaPorte led the No. 9 seeded Dukes all the way to the SBC Championship game for the first time in program history, as Kirsten Fleet, Kylee Gleason and Cali Legzdin were JMU's first-ever selections to the SBC All-Tournament Team. Payton List Garnered First Team All-Sun Belt honors for the second straight season as well.


2024 saw JMU improve on its win totals for the third consecutive season, as the Dukes finished 31-22 and 12-12 in Sun Belt action. A trio of Dukes - Bella Henzler, Reed Butler, Payton List - were named First Team All-Sun Belt while List was also named NFCA Third Team All-Region. The Dukes hit .310 as a team and finished with 69 home runs, both inside the top five in team history.


In the 2023 season, JMU went 28-19 and 13-11 during its first year in the Sun Belt Conference. In LaPorte's first year in the Sun Belt, she led Hannah Shifflett and KK Mathis to First Team All-Conference honors. Under her direction, the Dukes clinched a six seed in the Sun Belt Championship and received a first round bye.


In the 2022 season, the Dukes went 21-21 and 10-5 in conference play. LaPorte led four Dukes to All-Colonial Athletic Association honors, including the 11th Duke to be named CAA Player of the Year: Hannah Shifflett. Six Dukes earned NFCA All-Region honors, with Lauren Bernett, Hannah Shifflett and Jasmine Hall being named to the first team.


In her fourth season as head coach, LaPorte lead the Dukes to a record of 41-4 and 17-1 in CAA games and the program’s first-ever Women’s College World Series appearance, making history as the first unseeded team to win its first two games at the WCWS. Under her guidance, the Dukes defeated four top-10 programs, including eventual national champion Oklahoma, along with two wins over No. 25 Liberty. Outfielder Kate Gordon set the CAA home run record and earned NFCA All-Region Honors alongside Madison Naujokas, Odicci Alexander, Logan Newton, Lynsey Meeks, Sara Jubas and Alissa Humphrey. Alexander tabbed her third NFCA All-American honor and first CAA Pitcher of the Year award under the guidance of LaPorte.


LaPorte and her staff earned NFCA Northeast Coaching Staff of the Year and become the first JMU staff to earn NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year after finishing the season with the program's highest ranking in the national polls: fourth. LaPorte received recognition as the CAA Coach of the Year and VaSID Coach of the Year.


In her third season as head coach in 2020, LaPorte lead the Dukes to a record of 13-6 before the season ended short due to COVID-19. LaPorte started the season with two wins over Top-25 programs, including a shut-out win over Texas Tech. She guided Gordon to break the JMU career home run Record and receive the accolade of Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player of the Week along with Sara Jubas who was the first JMU softball student-athlete to be honored as a CoSIDA Academic All-American.


In her second season as head coach in 2019, LaPorte guided the Dukes to a historical season, finishing 51-10 and 20-1 in CAA games. The team advanced to the NCAA Super Regional for the second time in program history, and earned its seventh consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. LaPorte received recognition as the 2019 CAA Coach of the Year and 2019 Regional Coach of the Year. She coached three to All-American honors, nine All-CAA student-athletes and eight All-Region Honors student-athletes.


In her first season as head coach in 2018, LaPorte guided the Dukes to a 43-14 overall record, including 19-2 in CAA play. The 2018 CAA Coach of the Year, LaPorte helped JMU earn its seventh overall and sixth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. Under her guidance, Odicci Alexander and Kate Gordon were named to the NFCA All-America Third Team. She also coached Alexander to earn 2018 CAA Player of the Year recognition and boasts five NFCA All-Region and four All-CAA student athletes.


As assistant coach, LaPorte led the infielders of JMU to 14 All-CAA honors and eight to NFCA All-Region Teams. In her first season as an assistant coach in 2013, the Dukes earned their first ever NCAA Tournament At-Large bid and picked up their first ever NCAA Tournament win, beating Longwood 5-0. In 2014, LaPorte led shortstop Caitlin Sandy to earn CAA Player of the year honors and the JMU claimed it’s second CAA championship after sweeping the conference tournament.


The Dukes finished with a perfect 19-0 in conference play in 2015 and earned the No. 15 seed in the NCAA Championship. JMU claimed its third CAA championship in 2016. The Dukes then hosted the program’s second NCAA Regional and advanced to their first ever Super Regional. In her final year as assistant coach, LaPorte helped lead the Dukes to a school-record 52-8 finish, including victories over No. 17 Missouri and No. 2 Auburn. JMU claimed it’s fourth CAA championship title, making it the first time in school history the team has won back-to back softball titles.


Prior to coming to Harrisonburg, LaPorte spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at Radford University with her predecessor Mickey Dean, including serving as the recruiting coordinator. During her time at Radford, LaPorte assisted Dean in leading the Highlanders to a 110-59 overall record, a 48-9 Big South Conference record and three consecutive Big South Conference Regular Season titles. During her tenure, Dean also was named the Big South Coach of the Year all three years, with him crediting his entire staff for the award. She was also a part of the 2010 Big South Tournament title and NCAA Regional Appearance, where RU picked up a pair of wins, including one over No. 24 Florida State, and finished as runner-up in the Regional.


LaPorte, a former Roanoke College standout, joined Radford after spending the 2009 season as an assistant coach at her alma mater. She made a successful transition from player to coach, serving as the Maroons' infield instructor and helping them to a 24-11 overall and 12-6 ODAC (Old Dominion Athletic Conference) record.


As a player, LaPorte enjoyed a highly successful four-year career in a at Roanoke College. The four-time First Team All-ODAC shortstop left Roanoke ranked in the top ten in sacrifice hits (2nd, 41), batting (5th, .383), assists (5th, 233), hits (7th, 180) and runs (7th, 135). A mainstay in the starting lineup, LaPorte was a key factor in Roanoke winning a pair of ODAC championships (2005 & 2006) and earning NCAA regional bids both seasons, reaching the finals in 2006. The Maroons, who finished ranked 21st nationally in 2005 and 2006, posted an impressive 118-38 overall and 57-15 conference record during Messick's four-year career.


LaPorte has also served as an assistant coach with a pair of Virginia summer-club teams; the 2009 U-23 Renegades and the 2007 U-16 Northern Neck Rage.


Loren Messick married her husband, Josh LaPorte, in the summer of 2013, and the two are parents to a son and daughter, Holden and Harper.

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Jennifer Herzig

Associate Head Coach Jennifer Herzig enters her 13th season with the James Madison softball program in 2025.


She was hired by then Head Coach Mickey Dean on Sept. 5, 2012 as an assistant coach. Herzig was promoted in July 2018 to associate head coach after spending six seasons with the Dukes.


Herzig serves as the programs hitting coach and also works with the outfielders and catchers from the defensive end. In her 13 seasons in Harrisonburg, the Dukes have compiled a 434-130 record, including a 145-34 mark in Colonial Athletic Association play, and a 36-34 record in Sun Belt Conference play.


She has helped build the program into a softball powerhouse, setting the single-season wins mark with a 52-8 record in 2017 while also helping the Dukes reach the top 10 in both major softball polls. In her time, the Dukes have earned eight NCAA Championship berths and have won a game in all eight appearances, including taking the Harrisonburg Regional title in 2016 to advance to the program’s first NCAA Super Regional. The program advanced to its second Super Regional in 2019 after defeating Michigan in back-to-back games in the Ann Arbor Regional. JMU made its third Super Regional appearance in 2021 after winning the Knoxville Regional. The Dukes continued on to the Women’s College World Series after defeating Missouri in a best of three games at the Columbia Super Regional. The Dukes’ coaching staff has picked up the NFCA Northeast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year award five times during Herzig’s career (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021) along with the 2021 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year award.


During her time with the Dukes she has seen five CAA titles, three NCAA Regional titles and one Super Regional title and one WCWS appearance. She has coached one NFCA DI National Player of the Year, three National Pro Fastpitch draft picks, four NFCA All-Americans, six CAA Players of the Year, three CAA Pitchers of the Year, two CAA Defensive Player of the Year, seven CAA Rookies of the Year and multiple All-CAA, All-Region and All-State selections.


Herzig has helped develop all four of the programs All-Americans. Now USSSA Pride Pitcher, Jailyn Ford earned All-American status three times during her time with the Dukes, serving as a dominate threat in the circle and at the plate. The 2017 NFCA DI National Player of the Year, Megan Good earned the status of All-American four times while she was with the Dukes and leaves her name all over the JMU record book. The 2021 CAA Pitcher of the Year and Softball America’s NCAA Pitcher of the Year, Odicci Alexander, earned three All-American nods during her time with the Dukes as she was dominate on both sides of the ball. The CAA and JMU career home run record holder, Kate Gordon was a two-time All-American while at JMU.


In 2021, Herzig assisted with the offense, helping JMU enter the national rankings late in the season, advance to the WCWS and finish the season in the top-five of the national polls. The Dukes finished the season ranked seventh in the nation for home runs per game (1.58), ninth in onbase percentage (.409), seventh in scoring (6.76), and sixth in slugging percentage (.562). Herzig helped Kate Gordon to her third VaSID All-State Player of the Year nod, finishing the season with the CAA home run record (71). She assisted Odicci Alexander to a record of 18-3 in the circle with wins over four top-10 teams including No. 1 Oklahoma. Herzig played a major part in Sara Jubas’s successful season and impressive post season performance earning VaSID All-State First Team honors and NFCA All-Region Second Team. She helped guide Alissa Humphrey to an impressive rookie season, earning a spot on the Schutt Sports/NFCA National Division Freshman of the Year Top 15 List as well as CAA Rookie of the Year and VaSID Rookie of the Year.


In 2020, Herzig contributed to the offensive end, helping the Dukes remain national ranked for four weeks and finish with a record of 13-6. Though season ended earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dukes finished seconded in the nation in scoring (8.47 runs per game), second in homeruns per game (1.79 per game), third in slugging percentage (.626), tenth in batting average (.339) and sixth for on base percentage (.444). Herzig helped Kate Gordon lead the nation in five statistical categories including batting average (.575), along with the honors of VaSID All-State First Team and Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Herzig helped guide Odicci Alexander to capture two wins over nationally ranked teams in JMU’s opening weekend at SPC Elite Invitational. She was a crucial asset to Sara Jubas having a stellar shortened season, reaching the milestone of 100 RBIs, earning VaSID All-State First Teams Honors and becoming the first CoSIDA Academic All-American for the program.


In 2019, Herzig helped guide the Dukes on the offensive front, ending the season ranking second nationally in scoring (7.67 runs per game), second in on base percentage (.436), fourth in homeruns per game (1.67), fifth in batting average (.333) and fifth in slugging percentage (.589). She also helped lead the pitchers to a 1.66 team ERA which ended the year ranked eighth in the country. The pitchers saw 17 shutouts that season behind the pitch calling of Herzig. Kate Gordon earned her second NFCA All-American honor under Herzig in the 2019 campaign. Gordon racked in the honors that year, also receiving First Team All-CAA honors, VaSID First Team and Player of the Year nods, NFCA First Team All-Northeast and a spot on the All-ECAC team. Herzig was a crucial asset to the team winning the CAA Championship as they headed to their eighth overall and seventh consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. The Dukes knocked off ranked Michigan in back-to-back games on the final day of the Ann Arbor Regional to advance to the programs second ever NCAA Super Regional. The Dukes advanced to the L.A. Super Regional, going toe-to-toe with the eventual national champion in UCLA. The Dukes ended the 2019 campaign with a 51-10 overall record and ended CAA play at 20-1.


Herzig helped the program earn its first ever outfield NFCA All-America accolade in 2018 as sophomore Kate Gordon had a standout season. The Dukes earned their seventh overall and sixth consecutive NCAA Championship appearance with a berth into the Knoxville Regional. JMU captured a 43-14 overall record and a 19-2 record in conference play in 2018. Herzig helped the Dukes end the year ranked first nationally in home runs per game (1.51), second in slugging percentage (.539) and sixth in team scoring (6.42 runs per game).


In 2017, Herzig saw the fruits of her labor continue to flourish after leading the Dukes to a .347 team batting average which ranked second nationally. The team also ranked third in slugging percentage (.556), and fourth in runs scored per game (6.73). She guided Taylor Newton to All-CAA honors and helping her set the then JMU and CAA RBI record. JMU finished the season with a 52-8 overall mark with a 18-2 record in conference play. JMU swept the conference tournament to win the 2017 CAA Championship, marking the first time in program history that the Dukes have won back-to-back conference titles. The Dukes advanced to the Waco Regional, falling to the host Lady Bears in the finals.


Catcher, Erica Field was named CAA Defensive Player of the year for the third straight season under the guidance of Herzig in 2016 and was later drafted to the National Pro Fastpitch league. Taylor Newton and Field both earned All-CAA honors and NFCA All-Northeast Region honors for the second straight season. The Dukes finished the season with a 50-6 overall record and an 18-1 mark in CAA play. This earned the Dukes the No. 7 overall seed for the 2016 NCAA Championship, giving them the opportunity to host their second straight Harrisonburg Regional. The Dukes would win that regional and host the programs first ever Super Regional.


In 2015, Herzig helped two Dukes earn All-CAA First Team honors in Erica Field and Taylor Newton. Field was tabbed CAA Defensive Player for the second straight season and both she and Newton were recognized on the NFCA All-Northeast Region Team. The Dukes went 48-10 on the year and a perfect 19-0 in league play to earn the No. 15 overall seed for the NCAA Championship. The Dukes would then host the programs first NCAA Regional.


Herzig helped a pair of rookie outfielders to All-CAA status, which included CAA Rookie of the Year Niki Prince in 2014. Prince was a First Team All-CAA selection while Newton made the Second Team. JMU went 45-15 overall and 15-3 in CAA play, claiming its second CAA tournament title after going 3-0 in the conference tournament.


In her first season, she helped guide the Dukes to a 42-17 overall record and a 18-3 mark in the CAA. JMU finished second in the CAA regular season and conference tournament and picked up the program’s first ever NCAA Tournament at-large bid. The Dukes traveled to the Knoxville Regional and earned the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win with a 5-0 win over Longwood. The Dukes placed seven players on All-CAA teams, and had the CAA Player and Rookie of the Year that season.


Herzig comes to JMU after serving the previous seven seasons as the head coach at UNCG where she won 173 games. In her time in Greensboro, the Spartans made their first ever appearance in the Southern Conference championship game. Four times in her seven seasons, her team upset the SoCon tournament’s top-seeded team, including becoming the first No. 8 seed to beat the No. 1 seed in consecutive seasons (2006-07).


In addition to success at the SoCon tournament, Herzig has coached 24 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athletes and 21 Academic All-Southern Conference selections. She recruited and coached UNCG’s career leader in hits (Alex Emeterio) and strikeouts (Amber Harrell) as well as coaching two members of the Puerto Rican national team and one Canadian junior national team player. Under her tutelage, 12 players were named All-Southern Conference, four were named to the All-Freshman team and seven made appearances on the All-Tournament team, including the 2010 tournament MVP in Harrell.


Prior to taking her position at UNCG, Herzig served as an assistant coach at Charlotte under head coach Aimee DeVos. She worked primarily with the infielders, catchers and hitters while also coaching first base. Herzig also worked as a graduate assistant coach at East Tennessee State and briefly served as the university’s interim head coach from August to December in 2002.


Herzig played at Charlotte from 1997-2001. She was a four-year letterwinner at first base and catcher and an NFCA Academic All-America selection.

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