ASHLAND, Va. -
Amanda Lanyon (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) walks it off with a deep sacrifice fly to right field to drive in
Olivia Owens (Salisbury, Md./James M. Bennett) as the Yellow Jackets survive an extra innings battle with the Cougars.
The Basics
Score: (2) Randolph-Macon 3, (7) Averett 2
Location: Ashland, Va.//Randolph-Macon College//Carol Estes Park
Records: Randolph-Macon (30-3-2, 20-2 ODAC), Averett (16-23, 10-12 ODAC)
How It Happened
- From the very start of the game and up until the late innings, this game was a pitching duel. Through the first five innings there were only five hits between the two teams. The Yellow Jackets ace, Gracie Ellis (New Kent, Va./New Kent), started out hot as she struck out seven Cougars through her first three innings of work.
- The first run of the game would be scored by Averett in the sixth inning. After a bloop to center found the outfield grass, the Cougars would bunt to move the runner to second and then drive a double to right field to give them the advantage late in the game.
- RMC would head into the bottom of the seventh inning with their backs against the wall. With the Yellow Jackets needing a rally, it was Freshman Ashley Bush (Virginia Beach, Va./James Madison) who was called to pinch hit and get it started. Bush put the ball in play and an error by second base would help her reach first. Fellow Freshman Jacy Ramos (Williamsburg, Va./Lafayette) would come on to pinch run for the Jackets. After a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Brown (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) moved Ramos into scoring position, a fielding error by Averett would help bring in the tying run for the Yellow Jackets. The two teams would head to extra innings.
- In the top of the eighth, the Cougars would start off with a double to left field. Averett would regain their lead as a single would drive in the runner from second.
- The Yellow Jackets once again had their backs against the wall, only having three outs to keep their hopes alive. After Rilee Baughan (Warsaw, Va./Rappahannock) reached first on a fielder's choice, Freshman Alyssa Meharg (Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen) would pinch run for RMC. The Yellow Jackets would come up clutch again, as Kayla Davis (Powhatan, Va. /Powhatan) would drive a double down the left field line to bring in Meharg and bring the game back level.
- After a quick top of the ninth inning by Ellis and the Yellow Jackets defense, it was time for the RMC bats to come up big one last time. Owens would start it off by singling to center field, and would then move into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt by Ellis. Blayne Talley (Richmond, Va./Cosby) kept the line moving by driving a ball through the right side of the infield for a single and advancing Owens to third. The Yellow Jackets were in business now as they reached the top of the order with only one out, knowing just about any ball put in play would win the game. And that is exactly what Lanyon did. The ball was driven to deep right field, allowing Owens to tag up and win the game for the Lemon and Black, 3-2.
By The Numbers
- Ellis was the winning pitcher in the circle for the Yellow Jackets, throwing nine complete innings. She improves to a perfect 18-0 on the season and adds 10 more strikeouts to her total.
- Owens led the team with two hits on the game. She also added a stolen base.
- Davis and Lanyon each had an RBI in the game.
- Sadler, Ellis, and Talley all also recorded hits.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets will take on Roanoke tomorrow, May 4, at 11 a.m. at Carol Estes Park.
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