MANSFIELD, Conn. – Freshman Gracie Ellis (New Kent, Va./New Kent) tossed seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 before third-ranked Eastern Connecticut State scratched for a run in the eighth to record a 1-0 victory over Randolph-Macon in Game 1 of the Super Regionals on Friday afternoon.

Click here to view postgame press conference with head coach Kevin Proffitt and freshman pitcher Gracie Ellis

The Basics

Score: #3 Eastern Connecticut State 1, #16 Randolph-Macon 0 (8 innings)

Venue: Clyde Washburne Field

Records: R-MC 35-10, Eastern 42-5

How It Happened

• The Yellow Jackets got a runner into scoring position in the top of the first. Freshman Amanda Lanyon (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) drew a leadoff walk and stole second with one away. She moved to third on a strikeout before being stranded there.
• The Warriors had two hits in the bottom of the second but did not score. They had a one-out single and with two away, had a base hit drop into shallow left field. The runner at first kept moving past second and Lanyon threw her out at third.
• Eastern put two on with one away in the fourth, but Ellis got a foulout on a bunt attempt and a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.
• R-MC threatened in the sixth. Senior Sami Davidson (Stafford, Va./Brooke Point) had a leadoff single to right and went to second on a one-out base hit up the middle by Lanyon. Freshman Naomi Sadler (Emporia, Va./Brunswick) reached on a fielder's choice as Davidson was tagged out at third on a close play. Junior Rilee Baughan (Warsaw, Va./Rappahannock) walked to load the bases. Freshman Kayla Davis (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) hit a hard bouncer on the left side that hit the baserunner between second and third to end the threat.
• Ellis set the Warriors down in order in the sixth and seventh with three strikeouts to force an extra frame.
• In the top of the eighth, Sadler reached on a two-out single and stole second. Baughan drew a walk before a popout ended the inning.
• Eastern had a leadoff single to left in the bottom of the eighth that Lanyon made a sliding attempt on but could not control. The runner was sacrificed to second.  Following a flyout to center, a base hit to center brought in the game's lone run.

By The Numbers

• Ellis went 7.2 innings with six hits, one run, no walks and 10 strikeouts. Her record moved to 22-6.
• Lanyon, Sadler, Ellis and Davidson all had hits for the Yellow Jackets.

For The Record

• R-MC is now 3-2 in extra-inning games this season.
• The Yellow Jackets were shut out for just the second time in 2022. R-MC has recorded 12 shutouts.
• Eastern was held scoreless through seven innings for the first time this season.
• When R-MC won a Super Regional title in 2019, the Yellow Jackets lost the first game at Christopher Newport before capturing Games 2 & 3.

Up Next

Randolph-Macon and Eastern will meet in the second game of the Super Regional on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m. If the Yellow Jackets win, a third and deciding game will follow 30 minutes later.