HARRISONBURG, Va., Dec. 7, 2011 – James Madison head softball coach Katie Flynn announced the team’s captains for the 2012 season on Wednesday. Senior shortstop Ashley Burnham (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) and senior second baseman Caitlen Manning (Prince George, Va./Prince George) were named as captains in a vote by the team this week.

“I think it’s is very fitting and a great choice,” Flynn said. “Caitlen and Ashley have been the anchor for our infield throughout their careers. Both are exceptional leaders by example and have stepped out of their shells to be more vocal these past two seasons.”

 Burnham is entering her second season as a team captain after also being voted as a captain as a junior. She is a two-time First Team All-CAA selection and the only player in school history to be named NFCA All-Region twice. In 2010 she was voted the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. Last season, she broke the school record for home runs in a season (13), on-base percentage (.452) and slugging percentage (.724) and the career record for consecutive games started at 160. She ranks second in school history in runs and home runs, third in total bases, fourth in hits, fifth in triples and sixth in walks.

 Manning is a two-year starter at second base for the Dukes and has appeared in 113 games, starting 99 of them. She is a .269 career hitter with a .325 on-base percentage and .419 slugging percentage. In 2011 she hit .306 with 12 doubles, six home runs, 30 RBIs, 12 walks and 12 steals in 13 attempts. She ranks ninth in school history with 10 career home runs and her 30 RBIs in 2011 is tied for the sixth most in a single season.

 Flynn added, “They are two of our hardest workers, fierce competitors and tremendous representatives for the purple and gold.”

 The Dukes are coming off a 29-23 campaign in 2011, including an 11-5 mark at home. JMU returns its entire starting infield and seven starters overall from a team that hit .283 and scored 238 runs. Burnham is joined by fellow returning All-CAA performers in First Team third baseman Caitlin Sandy (Fayetteville, N.C./Jack Britt) and Second Team outfielder Jasmine Butler (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange) while Manning, junior first baseman Haley Johnson (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run), junior catcher/designated player Megan Shinaberry (Davie, Fla./McCarthy) and junior outfielder Lori Botkin (Manassas, Va./Osbourn) are all returning starters.

 In the circle, Madison returns junior right-hander Cara Stecher (New Castle, Del./Caravel Academy) and sophomore right-hander Brittany Jeans (Camano Island, Wash./Stanwood). Stecher went 10-1 with two shutouts and five complete games a year ago while Jeans set a JMU freshman record for strikeouts in a game with 13 against Norfolk State.