ASHLAND, Va. – The Randolph-Macon softball team had their home opener in a tough test against fifth-ranked Berry College on Wednesday. The Vikings pulled out two close wins in a battle of top-10 teams in Ashland.

The Basics:

Scores: Berry 5, Randolph-Macon 2                  Berry 1, Randolph-Macon 0     

Location: Ashland, Va./Randolph-Macon College/RMC Softball Field

Records: Randolph-Macon (3-3, 0-0 ODAC), Berry (12-1, 3-0 UAA)

How it Happened (Game 1):

• Berry wasted no time getting on the board, with the leadoff hitter blasting a homer to left field. Two batters later, another home run, this time a two-run shot to extend the lead to 3-0 in the top of the first.
• Gracie Ellis (New Kent, Va./New Kent) helped herself out at the plate by bringing home Ellie Barton (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan), who pinch ran for Natalie Robinson (Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park). Robinson began the inning with a single to left field.
• The Yellow Jackets couldn't find the big hit until Sierra Livingston (Dagsboro, Del./Sussex Tech) drew a bases loaded walk to cut the lead to 3-2 in the fifth. RMC left the bases loaded, however, as the Vikings escaped.
• Ellis worked her magic in the circle after the first inning, keeping RMC in it, but Berry had the dagger in the seventh, picking up two RBI off a two-out single to extend the lead to 5-2.

By the Numbers (Game 1):

• Gracie Ellis settled in after the first inning, posting 10 strikeouts on the day as part of her complete game in the circle. She also went 1-3 at the plate with an RBI.
• Olivia Owens (Salisbury, Md./James M. Bennett) was one of three RMC players with two hits. She had a double and a single in three at bats.
• Reigning ODAC hitter of the week Kayla Davis (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) had another pair of hits, with two singles in four at bats.
• Rilee Baughan (Warsaw, Va./Rappahannock) was the third Yellow Jacket to have multiple hits on the day. She also had a double to her credit.

How it Happened (Game 2):

• Game two of the double header was a pitching duel from the start. Naomi Sadler (Emporia, Va./Brunswick) singled in her first at bat of the game, stole second, but was stranded there as RMC came up scoreless in the first.
• Rilee Baughan faced the minimum through three in the circle, but the Vikings struck on a SAC fly in the top of the fourth with what proved to be the game-winning run.
• Baughan stranded runners at first and second in the sixth inning to keep the Yellow Jackets within striking distance, but the Vikings held them at bay to capture the 1-0 win.

By the Numbers (Game 2):

• Rilee Baughan was stellar in the circle, throwing a complete game with just four hits and one run allowed. She struck out seven over seven frames.
• Naomi Sadler had a single and a stolen base in the first inning to get things started for RMC.
• Olivia Owens also had a single and a stolen base to lead off the third inning.
• RMC struck out just three times in the second game, putting the ball in play, but not finding its way through.

Up Next:

Randolph-Macon will be back in action on Saturday for a home double header against Muhlenburg at 1:00 p.m. in Ashland.