NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The 24th – ranked Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets saw
Gracie Ellis (New Kent, Va./New Kent) toss seven innings of two run softball and double digit strikeouts, as
Naomi Sadler (Emporia, Va./Brunwick) drove in the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh. The Yellow Jackets open up the 2025 NCAA Championships with a comeback walk-off win over third-seeded Alfred.
The Basics
Score: (2) Randolph-Macon 3, (3) Alfred 2
Location: Newport News, Va. // Christopher Newport University // Captains Park
Records: Randolph-Macon: 35-11 // Alfred: 32-10
How It Happened
- In the first three innings of the game, both offenses were struggling to get their teams on the board. Gracie Ellis (New Kent, Va./New Kent) was on fire holding Alfred off the scoreboard for the first three innings. The senior at one time recorded six straight outs via her strikeout pitch, allowing zero hits by the Saxons and holding the score at 0-0.
- Alfred started to get the bats going in the top half of the fourth, as Samantha Vidal led off with a bunt single. The Saxons threw the first punch on a Jessica Remm two-run homer to grab the lead at 2-0 for Alfred. Ellis worked out of danger the rest of the inning to keep the deficit at two for the Yellow Jackets.
- In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tori Powell (Freeman, Va./Mecklenburg County) jolted the Randolph-Macon offense with a solo home run over the center field fence. The homer is the sophomore's fifth homer of the season and it also pulled the Lemon and Black within a run at 2-1. Jacy Ramos (Williamsburg, Va./Lafayette) hit a one out double down the left field line to represent the tying run for Randolph-Macon. Amanda Lanyon (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) came in clutch, hitting a two out single down the left field line to score Ramos from second and tie the game up at 2-2.
- The Saxons started the sixth inning with a single into left field by Vidal. Ellis forced Remm to flyout for the first out of the inning and Vidal moved into scoring position with another stolen base. Kendall Stew kept the inning going, as she made it on base with a fielding by the Yellow Jackets. Alfred saw themselves with runners on the corners and still with only one out. Ellis held tough and in six pitches sat down back-to-back batters to strand the potential go-ahead run on third.
- In the bottom of the seventh inning, Ramos kept her strong day at the plate going with her second double of the day to leadoff the inning. Avery Shifflett (Ruckersville, Va./William Monroe) was sent into pinch hit and bunted Ramos over to third and Randolph-Macon had the winning run staring at home with one out. Sadler came up with two outs in the inning and knocked in Ramos with a single into left field to end the game. The Yellow Jackets used timely hitting late in the game to open on the Newport News regional with a 3-2 win.
By The Numbers
- Ellis started the game for the Lemon and Black, tossing seven full innings, giving up two runs on five hits. The senior also struck out 12 batters and grabbed her 22nd win of the season.
- Powell hit her fifth homer of the season for her only hit of the game.
- Ramos doubled twice, scored twice and walked in the regional opener.
- Sadler recorded the game winning hit to go with an overall day with two hits.
- Lanyon had the only other RBI for the Yellow Jackets in the game.
Press Conference
Listen to the post game thoughts from the Yellow Jackets
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmHQGa-J2Zg
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets will be back in action against top-seeded Christopher Newport tomorrow morning at 11am.
