ASHLAND, Va. - The 23rd – ranked Randolph-Macon softball team swept Stockton on Tuesday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets shut out the Ospreys in game one by starting pitcher
Gracie Ellis (New Kent, Va./New Kent) and she took control of the all-time shutout record, while
Courtney Guthrie (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) was stellar in the circle in game two to keep Stockton off the board.
The Basics:
Score: #23 Randolph-Macon 7, Stockton 0 // #23 Randolph-Macon 2, Stockton 0
Venue: Ashland, Va. // Randolph-Macon College // Carol Estes Park
Records: Randolph-Macon (10-2, 0-0 ODAC), Stockton (5-5, 0-0 NJAC)
How it Happened
Game 1:
- The first inning would include two hit batters for each team. Ellis and Lexi Liquori both worked out of the jams with key strikeouts to end the inning scoreless.
- Kayla Davis (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) started the second inning with a single into right field. Blayne Talley (Richmond, Va./Cosby) and Naomi Sadler (Emporia, Va./Brunswick) both drew walks to load up the bases later in the inning. Liquori worked her way out of danger, retiring the final two batters to keep the game scoreless.
- The Yellow Jackets broke through to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Amanda Lanyon (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) kicked off the inning with a double down the left field line. The senior moved over to third on a passed ball and scored on a Tori Powell (Freeman, Va./Mecklenburg County) sacrifice flyout to right field. Randolph-Macon reloaded with a single by Reagan Hill (Hanover, Va./Hanover) and a walk by Charlotte Boswell (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run). Davis brought both home with a screaming double over the center fielders head, extending the Lemon and Black lead to 3-0.
- Blayne Talley started the sixth inning reaching base with a fielding error by the Osprey's shortstop. She would steal second and move over to third on a Sadler groundout. Lanyon would reach first with a four pitch walk and stole second, putting runners into scoring position with one out still in the inning. Powell came through again for Randolph-Macon with a two RBI double to bring home Blayne Talley and Lanyon. Ellis and Hill both reached on back-to-back walks to load up the bases with one out. Mya Davis (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) and Madison Faries (Colonial Heights, Va./Colonial Heights) both would be called to pinch run for Ellis and Hill. Boswell knocked in both Mya Davis and Faries with a single up the middle, pushing the lead to 7-0.
- In the seventh inning, Ellis allowed one hit but would end the game and seal a 7-0 win for the Yellow Jackets in game one.
Inside the Numbers:
- Ellis finished with her sixth win in as many starts this season. The senior struck out six opposing hitters in the seven inning game, allowing only three hits, two hit batters and one walk.
- Kayla Davis recorded two hits, including a double for the Yellow Jackets. The senior ended the game with two RBIs.
- Powell ended the game with three RBIs and a double.
- Boswell had a two RBI single to add to the Lemon and Black offense.
- Lanyon had a double and a stolen base for Randolph-Macon.
For the Record:
- Ellis finished the game with her 31st career shutout. The senior has now passed Candace Whittemore'19 for the top spot in program history.
How it Happened
Game 2:
- Stockton started the game with a one out double down the right field line by Charli Czaczkowski. Guthrie forced Emma Coldsnow to ground out to Jordan Brown (Yorktown, Va./Tabb), Hill threw out Czaczkowski at third base to end the inning.
- Powell started the bottom of the first inning with a one out single down the right field line for the Lemon and Black. Hill reached on an infield single up the middle and Kayla Davis was hit by a pitch to load up the bases with one out. Boswell knocked in Powell and Hill with a double into the left center field gap. Randolph-Macon used the double to take an early 2-0 lead in game two.
- In the fourth inning, Caitlin Cetrulo and Megan Sears both hit back-to-back singles to start. Casey Sokol hit into a fielder's choice and Cetrulo would be thrown out at third base for the first out. Brianna Segnello hit the third single of the inning to load up the bases with one out. Regan Mendick was sent in to pinch hit and grounded into a fielder's choice, as Boswell threw out Sears at home for a huge second out. Guthrie worked out of the bases loaded jam, as she made Emily Spencer groundout to shortstop and preserved the 2-0 lead for the Yellow Jackets.
- In the fifth and sixth innings, Guthrie pitched her way out of potential trouble, using two inning ending double plays to keep the Ospreys off the board through six innings.
- In the seventh inning with the tying run at the plate, Ellis was sent in to get the save for Randolph-Macon the senior capped off 14 innings of shutout softball for the Yellow Jackets.
Inside the Numbers:
- Guthrie received the win in game two, pitching 6.1 innings of shutout softball for the Lemon and Black. The junior allowed nine hits, a walk and struck out one Stockton batter.
- Boswell accounted for both runs in the entire game with her double in the first inning.
- Powell led the team in hits with two overall. Hill notched the only other hit for the Yellow Jackets in game two.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will head to Mary Washington to take on the Eagles on March 13 at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
