(BUENA VISTA, Va.) – No. 12 Randolph-Macon returns to action with a twin bill against in-state foe Southern Virginia on Friday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets are off to yet another great start to the season with wins in their last seven games with five of those coming against ranked opponents. The Knights will be attempting to break a three-game losing streak.

The Basics

Time: 2 p.m.

Venue: Harvey-Dryden Field

Records: No. 12 Randolph-Macon 12-1, Southern Virginia 2-10

Series Record: Randolph-Macon 16, Southern Virginia 1

Last Meeting: No. 24 Randolph-Macon 8, Southern Virginia 0 (5 inn.) – Game 1
No. 24 Randolph-Macon 6, Southern Virginia 1 – Game 2

The Yellow Jackets' sweep of the Knights was highlighted by a no-hitter and 10 strikeouts from Madie Rhoads in the opener. The offense helped with runs in every inning to help end the game in five frames. The Lemon and Black nearly duplicated that fete in the second game and scored in five of the seven innings.

Last Time Out: No. 17 Randolph-Macon 4, No. 13 Berry 3 – Game 1
No. 17 Randolph-Macon 2, No. 13 Berry 1 – Game 2
Thursday, March 10, at Randolph-Macon

The Jackets bested the Vikings in a meeting between two of the nation's top teams with Rilee Baughan (Jr., Warsaw, Va. / Rappahannock) putting up numbers that garnered her ODAC Player of the Week honors. Overall on the day she was 4-for-6 from the plate, including a 3-for-3 performance with a home run and double in Game 2. Baughan also got the job done in the circle where she improved to 4-0 with nine strikeouts.

Southern Virginia 0, Ferrum 7 – Game 1
Southern Virginia 1, Ferrum 7 – Game 2
Wednesday, March 16, at Southern Virginia

The Knights were swept by the Panthers thanks to impressive pitching performances by Ferrum. Afton Brown led the Knights with a 2-for-3 game in the nightcap.

Inside The Numbers

• This is the third time in the past four full seasons that the Yellow Jackets started out 12-1. In 2017 the Lemon and Black opened up 17-1 and in upped that in 2018 with a 21-1 record.
• Randolph-Macon will be the sixth ODAC team Southern Virginia has played this month.
• Randolph-Macon is tied with Bridgewater and Lynchburg for the most home runs this season with nine. That number also ranks No. 18 nationally.
• The Jackets currently have the second-best batting-average-against number in the ODAC with opponents hitting .198 against them.
• The R-MC battery has put together five shutouts so far this season, No. 8 nationally and No. 2 in the ODAC.
• The Jackets have a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 6.35, No. 1 in the ODAC and ninth in Division III.
• Gracie Ellis (Fr., New Kent, Va. / New Kent) has been one of the top pitchers in the nation with 83 strikeouts, the most in the ODAC and third in Division III. Her eight wins also lead the league and are fifth in the nation.
• In addition to being a fantastic pitcher, Baughan has also been an excellent hitter with hits in all but one game this season. Her .486 batting average is fourth in the ODAC and her .811 slugging percentage is third. Baughan's 16 RBI  are fourth in the ODAC and two behind the league leaders.
• Amanda Lanyon (Fr., Midlothian, Va. / Midlothian) has had a quick start to her collegiate career figuratively and literally. She has been a top threat in the ODAC on the base paths with nine bags taken, the most in the ODAC and No. 36 nationally.