By most measures, Sara Jubas’ freshman season with the James Madison softball team was a success. She started every game she played (57) and earned a spot on the Colonial Athletic Association all-rookie team after hitting .302 with seven homers and 25 RBIs.

But that was an appetizer for what was to come this season.

The South Fayette graduate made a quantum leap, posting team-highs with a .423 batting average, 17 doubles, 62 RBIs and a .513 on-base percentage, earning second-team all-CAA. She also hit 14 homers and again started every game in which she appeared (60).

Her performance helped the Dukes (51-10, 20-1 CAA) to a No. 16 ranking in the final USA Today/National Fastpich Coaches Association poll and to the NCAA Super Regionals for the second time in the program’s 18-year history.

In the postseason, she had a homer and an RBI double in an elimination game against host Michigan in the Ann Arbor Regional, helping the Dukes to a 3-0 victory. JMU defeated the Wolverines again to advance to the Super Regionals, where they were swept by No. 2 UCLA.

Jubas went 9 for 21 (.429) with a homer and four RBIs in the postseason.

“I guess it took a little time,” she said. “I got a little more confident this year.”

Coach Loren LaPorte said Jubas’ breakout season can be attributed to more than confidence. Once she cleared the usual hurdles freshmen face with adjusting to the college game, she understood what she would need to do to improve. So she hit the weights over the summer and worked tirelessly on hitting.

When Jubas stepped into the batting cage for the first time this preseason, LaPorte said she and assistant head coach Jennifer Herzig exchanged amazed glances as they watched.

“She bought in,” LaPorte said, “and when she came back in the fall … she came back not as a different player but an improved player.”

Jubas also changed her approach at the plate. Always aggressive in the batter’s box, she started going with the pitches rather than trying to put the ball where she wanted it to go.

“I think I’ve always been the same way in the box, always been aggressive and tried to put the ball in play,” Jubas said. “I think I’m a little less stubborn.”

Added LaPorte: “The nice thing with Sara this year is she has more than one pitch she can hit. Now she can go with the curveball. She can go with something inside. That makes it difficult for pitchers to throw to her.”

It all contributed to her gaudy offensive numbers, but the stat that might stand out the most is this: In 156 at-bats, she struck out seven times.

What’s more, LaPorte said, Jubas might not be at her ceiling. LaPorte isn’t expecting another dramatic uptick in Jubas’ offense but said the next step will be improving her defense at shortstop.

Her fielding percentage slipped slightly, from .921 as a freshman to .909 this season. LaPorte said continued work on Jubas’ range, footwork and throwing angles should help to cut down on errors.

“She has more in her,” LaPorte said. “I’m excited to see what she does with it.”

Jubas is excited to see how much further she and her teammates can take the program.

With only one senior, JMU seems to be primed for more NCAA runs in the next couple of seasons, and Jubas figures to be a big part of that.

“It’s definitely special. It’s awesome to be with the team and keep playing,” Jubas said. “I think we’re group of hardworking individuals. We work together on and off the field, and being that close helps us on the field. I just want to continue to get better.”

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