ASHLAND, VA – Randolph-Macon Softball defeated Methodist 3-1 to open play in the Virginia Beach Blast Tournament Friday. The Yellow Jackets fell in a close 2-0 contest to Salisbury later in the day.

R-MC struck early in the early game against Methodist University. Sharese Jarvis hit a two out single and was followed by Madison Gilman who blasted a two run homerun.

The Monarchs' Katie Byrd it a solo home run in the fifth inning to cut the lead in half but it would prove to be the only run allowed by Jacket's pitcher Heather Lewis.

Jess Matthews pinch ran for Lewis, who reached with a single, in the sixth inning and stole second to move into scoring position. After a groundout moved Matthews to third, Gilman hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the runner for her third RBI of the game.

R-MC held MU in check for the final frame and claimed a 3-1 victory.

Lewis went the distance allowing one run on six hits while striking out four on the way to her second victory of the season.

The Yellow Jackets dropped a tightly contested game with No. 24 Salisbury 2-0 later in the afternoon.

After three and a half scoreless innings, the Seagulls broke through with an RBI single in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 2-0 edge.

Randolph-Macon could not rally in the late innings and Salisbury staved off the upset bid.

Kristen Dize allowed just two earned runs on six hits over six innings to fall to 1-1 on the season.

R-MC will face off against North Carolina Wesleyan at 10:00 am and No. 6 Christopher Newport at 2:00 pm tomorrow in day two of the tournament.