(ASHLAND, Va.) – Gracie Ellis (Fr., New Kent, Va. / New Kent) had yet another career day as she struck out a combined 20 batters to lead No. 6 Randolph-Macon to a sweep of Ferrum on Saturday. Looking closer into that, 17 of the aforementioned Ks came in a four-hit shutout in the opener while she picked up a save for the Yellow Jackets on the nightcap.

With the sweep, the Jackets jump into first place in the ODAC along with Bridgewater and Lynchburg.

The Basics

Scores: Game 1 – No. 6 Randolph-Macon 1, Ferrum 0
Game 2 – No. 6 Randolph-Macon 3, Ferrum 0

Records: No. 6 Randolph-Macon 20-3, 5-1 ODAC; Ferrum 14-8, 4-2 ODAC

How It Happened (Game 1)

• The lone run of the game came in the fifth inning. Olivia Owens (So., Salisbury, Md. / James M. Bennett) opened the frame with a single and proceeded to get to third base on a pair of swiped bags. Sami Davidson (Sr., Stafford, Va. / Brooke Point) was then able to bring her home on a fielder's choice squeeze play.
• Outside of that it was the Gracie Ellis show as she punched out a staggering 17 batters, thought to be a new program record. Three times she struck out the side, and she struck out multiple batters in each inning.
• On the opposite end, Ferrum's Lyndsey Sears did her best to keep the Panthers in the game with just two hits allowed.

How It Happened (Game 2)

• Solo runs were provided by the Yellow Jackets in the second, third and fourth innings. Sierra Livingston (So., Dagsboro, Del. / Sussex Tech) provided the initial score as her sacrifice bunt brought in Naomi Sadler (Fr., Emporia, Va. / Brunswick) in the second. One inning later Natalie Robinson (Jr. Woodbridge, Va. / Woodbridge) singled to left to bring in Amanda Lanyon (Fr., Midlothian, Va. / Midlothian). Maddy Bates (So., Arlington, Va. / Bishop O'Connell) added the third in the fourth as Owens scored on a sac fly.
• That was all the R-MC battery needed as Rilee Baughan (Jr., Warsaw, Va. / Rappahannock) recorded the win as she went four innings and allowed just two hits. Ellis entered in the fifth and struck out three and allowed just one more hit to get the combined blanking.

Inside the Numbers

• Ellis now has an astronomical 123 strikeouts in 15 appearances to start her collegiate career. That puts her in third in Division III.

Up Next

Another couple of big doubleheaders await the Yellow Jackets during this 10-game home stand. First up is a twin bill with Lynchburg on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.