ASHLAND, Va. – The 10th - ranked Randolph-Macon softball team used multiple hits in a six run third inning to mount a nine run first game of the doubleheader to win 9-1, Stockton used a big sixth inning in game two to earn a split in the doubleheader.
The Basics:
Scores: Randolph-Macon 9, Stockton 1, Stockton 5, Randolph-Macon 2
Location: Ashland, Va.//Randolph-Macon College//Carol Estes Park
Records: Randolph-Macon (6-1-1, 0-0 ODAC), Stockton (2-6, 0-0 NJAC)
How it Happened
Game 1:
- Stockton got the game started with a bang, as Emily Spencer worked a nine pitch at-bat to smash a leadoff home run over the left field fence. Gracie Ellis (New Kent, Va./New Kent) worked back to strikeout two of the next three batters to limit the damage to one run.
- The Yellow Jackets answered in the bottom of the second inning tying up the game at 1-1. Olivia Owens (Salisbury, Md./James M. Bennett) and Jordan Brown (Chesterfield, Va./L.C. Bird) singled to create a scoring threat. Blayne Talley (Richmond, Va./Cosby) ripped a two-out single into left field to cash in Owens from second base.
- Randolph-Macon exploded offensively in the following inning, scoring six runs to take a 7-1 lead. Naomi Sadler (Emporia, Va./Brunswick) and Rilee Baughan (Rappahannock, Va./Warsaw) both drew walks to begin the inning and Kayla Davis (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) singled to load up the bases. The Lemon and Black's Owens executed a perfect safety squeeze to score Sadler as the go-ahead run, still with only one retired. Ellis made the Ospreys pay for the two walks, as she cracked a two RBI single up the middle to score Baughan and Davis. Later in the inning Talley stayed hot at the plate with a single up the middle to bring home Owens for the fourth run of the inning. Amanda Lanyon (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) capped off the inning with a triple into deep center field to score Ellis and Talley, as RMC scored six runs in the third inning.
- Ellis was on cruise control in the final two innings, retiring seven out of the final ten Stockton batters and she would punch out four of the seven she got out.
- Randolph-Macon got both of the leadoff batters on base to start the fifth inning, Ellis singled and Maddy Bates (Arlington, Va./Bishop O'Connell) was hit-by-a-pitch. Baughan ended the game on a two-out single up the middle to bring home pinch runner Jacy Ramos (Williamsburg, Va./Lafayette) and Bates to end the game on run rule with a 9-1 dominant Yellow Jacket victory.
By the Numbers
- Ellis records her fourth complete game and win of the season. The junior fanned ten Ospreys in game one and gave up one run. She also had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
- Talley ended the game going 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs and scored once.
- Baughan had a two RBI single and walked twice for the Yellow Jackets.
- Lanyon recorded a two RBI triple in the game.
- Sadler walked three times, scored once and stole two bases in the second spot in the order for Randolph-Macon.
How it Happened
Game 2:
- Spencer got the Ospreys started again in the second game with her second homer of the day, as she gave Stockton a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
- The Yellow Jackets would answer in the bottom half of the third inning tying up the game at 1-1 with help from the Stockton defense. Talley reached on an error by the Osprey first baseman to allow her to reach second base to lead off the inning. Lanyon knocked her in on her second double of the game, the double was ripped to right field, as the Stockton right fielder almost made an amazing diving catch.
- Kiley Lamberth (Mechanicsville, Va./Mechanicsville) led off the fourth inning with a single up the middle for Randolph-Macon. Ramos, who pinch ran for Lamberth made a high IQ play on a Owens sacrifice bunt, as she took third base to steal an extra base for the Yellow Jackets. Reagan Hill (Hanover, Va./Hanover) knocked in Ramos on a sacrifice fly into center field to give RMC a 2-1 lead.
- Stockton rallied in the top of the sixth inning, scoring four runs to take a 5-2 lead. Aubrey Jeffers led off the inning with a walk, Megan Sears in the next at-bat reached on a fielder error by Randolph-Macon with no outs. Caitlin Cetrulo moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt and Megan Dignam bunted home Jeffers on a bunt single to tie up the game. Alexa Panagopoylos unloaded the bases and gave the Ospreys the lead with a three-run homer.
- The Yellow Jackets threatened to tie or win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, as two players reached base and the threat would be stopped by the Ospreys to take game two 5-2.
By the Numbers
- Baughan took the loss in 5.1 innings, giving up five runs on six hits. The senior added five strikeouts and one walk.
- Lanyon led the Yellow Jackets in game two, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI.
- Hill ended the game with the other lone RBI.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will begin conference play at #13 Virginia Wesleyan on Tuesday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m.
