NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Randolph-Macon College softball team competed in their first ever NCAA Tournament game today beating No. 23 nationally ranked Ramapo 8-6 in nine innings at Christopher Newport.  The Yellow Jackets knocked out 15 hits while the Roadrunners had 10.  R-MC broke through on a single to left field by junior Katie Woody (Ashland, VA/ Patrick Henry) in the top of the ninth that scored junior Sierra Ford (Powhatan, VA / Powhatan) as well as junior Madison Gilman (Glen Allen, VA / Patrick Henry) when the left fielder mishandled the ball.

The Yellow Jackets gave up the first runs as Ramapo scored two in the bottom of the second before Randolph-Macon came back strong on a two-run moon shot by Gilman in the top of the third.  R-MC tacked on three more runs in the top of the fourth after a leadoff single from Katie Woody, followed by back-to-back-to-back two out singles from freshman Skylar Toth (Midlothian, VA / Clover Hill), senior Amanda Sopko (Skippers, VA / Greensville) and Ford. 

Ramapo scored one in the bottom of the fifth and then three in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-5 lead heading into the top of the seventh.  Sopko led off with a bunt single before R-MC loaded the bases with one out.  A ground ball to third base from freshman Harley Jones (Broadnax, VA / Brunswick) resulted in Sopko being thrown out at home but the Roadrunners tried to double Jones up at first and heads up base running from Gilman allowed her to score on the play knotting the game at six.  The score would stay this way until the top of the ninth as Randolph-Macon took the lead and finished off the Roadrunners in the bottom of the ninth.

Freshman Nelda Bagley (Kenbridge, VA / Central) threw all nine innings for the Yellow Jackets surrendering 10 hits and only one earned run while striking out seven batters.  Amanda Sopko led the way for the Yellow Jackets going 3-5 from the plate and scoring two runs.  Sopko also made two incredible diving plays in the field that saved runs.

The Yellow Jackets will take on host Christopher Newporton Saturday at 12:00 PM. The Captains blanked Salem 6-0 in their first-round contest.