Date: Sunday, March 22, 2009
Contact: Robert Dignazio / Sports Information
Intern
(804) 752-7387, robertdignazio@rmc.edu
R-MC Softball Defeats #20 Roanoke for First Time in
Program History, Splits Doubleheader
(Box Scores: Game One | Game
Two)
SALEM, Va. - The R-MC softball team defeated Roanoke
College for the first time in program history on Sunday, taking
Game One of the doubleheader 3-2 before dropping Game Two 6-4. The
Yellow Jackets improve to 12-6 (6-1 ODAC). Ashley Crouch hit a
two-run homer in the final inning of the first game to defeat the
Maroons, who are ranked #20 in the nation by Division III
Softball - The Newsletter and have earned seven ODAC
softball titles, the most by any school.
Game One proved to be a classic pitcher's duel between R-MC's
Courtney Brooks (now 5-3) and RC's Kelsey Ruitenberg and Gretchen
Wolfe. The Yellow Jackets tallied an early run as Megan Shepherd
walked and Paige Smith singled. With runners on first and second
with one out, Laura Bauer singled. A Roanoke error allowed to
Shepherd to cross the plate and Bauer to advance to second. That
unearned run would be the only tally Ruitenberg would allow in four
innings of work.
RC (13-5, 3-3 ODAC) registered a run in the third and sixth
innings to put the Maroons ahead 2-1 entering the seventh. Gretchen
Wolfe's third inning of work proved to be unlucky as R-MC's Ashley
Crouch sent a two-run blast over the right-center field fence for a
go-ahead homerun. Brooks entered her final inning determined to
pick up the complete game win. She did just that, as RC's Clarissa
Norwich grounded out, pinch-hitter Abbey Greenberg walked, Gabby
Moss struck out, and Beth Nicoll grounded out to end Game One.
Paige Smith hit three-for-four, while Crouch finished the
contest one-for-three with two seventh-inning runs batted in. Runs
were scored by Shepherd, Smith, and Crouch. Brooks allowed two
unearned runs and struck out four batters while yielding just three
hits and two base on balls.
After Game One's low-scoring 3-2 affair, Game Two featured a
combined 10 runs and 23 hits by both teams. After R-MC tallied
another first inning run, Roanoke outscored the Yellow Jackets 6-2
in the third through fifth innings. R-MC entered the seventh inning
trailing 6-3.
With two outs in the final inning and Shepherd on first base,
Ashley Crouch walked. Shannon Long then doubled, driving in
Shepherd and advancing Crouch to third base. With the tying run in
scoring position, R-MC's Katie McCauley stepped to the plate. The
right fielder represented the winning run and had already tallied
two hits in three at-bats. However, she could not extend the rally
as she struck out looking to end the game.
The Yellow Jackets were led by Shannon Long, who hit
three-for-four with an RBI. Laura Bauer went two-for-four with two
RBIs and Megan Shepherd registered one hit and two runs. Katie
McCauley ended the game with two hits in four at-bats. R-MC pitcher
Katie Raulerson pitched all six innings in the loss.
RC's Kelsey Ruitenberg moved from the mound to first base in
Game Two and did not slow down, tallying two hits, two RBIs, and
one run in four at-bats. Clarissa Norwich started the game at third
base and relieved Janie Holmes on the mound to pick up the victory.
Norwich also hit two-for-two with two runs. Felicia Lowery and
Abbey Greenberg registered two hits as well.
R-MC now sits a half-game behind Bridgewater and Lynchburg for
the ODAC lead. The Yellow Jackets return to the diamond on Saturday
when they travel to Lynchburg to face the first-place Hornets in a
doubleheader. Game One's start time is slated for 1:30.
- Yellow Jackets -
