(SALEM, Va.) – A battle between two of the top ranked teams in the nation was everything fans could expect it to be as Randolph-Macon and Roanoke split an ODAC doubleheader. On top of that both games were one-run games with the No. 13 Maroons taking the first game before the No. 11 Yellow Jackets took Game 2 in extra innings.

The Basics

Score: Game 1 – No. 11 Randolph-Macon 2, No. 13 Roanoke 3
Game 2 – No. 11 Randolph-Macon 6, No. 13 Roanoke 5 (8 inn.)

Venue: Moyer 4 Field

Records: No. 11 Randolph-Macon 15-2, 1-1 ODAC; No. 13 Roanoke 15-7, 1-3 ODAC

How It Happened (Game 1)

• After three scoreless frames, Roanoke eventually opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth with an error assisting one of the runs.
• The Yellow Jackets were able to tie the game in the next half inning. Naomi Sadler (Fr., Emporia, Va. / Brunswick) led off the frame and eventually scored on a pinch hit home run by Natalie Robinson (Jr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) to left field.
• The tie game didn't last long as Roanoke eventually scored what proved to be the winning run on an RBI double in the sixth.

How It Happened (Game 2)

• In the nightcap, the Lemon and Black started the scoring with a three-run third. Robinson singled up the middle to bring in Ryleigh Elliott (So., Milton, Del. / Cape Henlopen). Runs followed in the next two at bats with Sadler singling in Amanda Lanyon (Fr., Midlothian, Va. / Midlothian) who reached earlier on a bunt single, and Olivia Owens (So., Salisbury, Md. / James M. Bennett) following suit in similar fashion to bring in Robinson.
• Roanoke was able to answer in the bottom of the fourth. Three hits and three errors aided the Maroons in tying the game, but the Jackets were able to escape without further damage as the hosts left the bases loaded.
• With the international tiebreaker in place, Gracie Ellis (Fr., New Kent, Va. / New Kent) was placed on second to start the eighth and a Sadler single to right allowed her to score. Two batters later an error allowed Sadler to score to make it 5-3. With Olivia Allen (So., Dinwiddie, Va. / Cosby) pinch running for Sami Davidson (Sr., Stafford, Va. / Brooke P) who reached on the aforementioned error, savy base running on a passed ball and an error allowed Allen to get to third. It proved pivotal as she scored on an error on the next play to make the score 6-3.
• Roanoke didn't go quietly and threatened during the bottom of the eighth. With two outs, a double to left kept the Maroons alive and scored a pair, but Elliot was able to strike out the next batter to end the game.

Inside The Numbers

• Ellis was the pitcher of record for the Yellow Jackets in both games. She took the tough luck loss in the opener as she went up against Jada Karnes who picked up the win to improve to 10-2. In Game 2 she came on in relief and pitched the final three frames and allowed no earned runs on four hits.
• With the split decisions Ellis herself also moved her record to 10-2.
• Ellis struck out six in the opener and followed up with five more in the second game to give her 103 on the season in just 13 appearances to start her collegiate career.
• Sadler did well across the day as she went 3-for-7 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
• Lanyon went a combined 4-for-8 with a run scored. She was 2-for-4 in both games.
• The loss against Roanoke snapped a nine-game win streak and a seven-game win streak against ranked teams for the Yellow Jackets dating back to last season.

Up Next

The Jackets will head to Lynchburg to take on Randolph for a Sunday twin bill. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.