ASHLAND, Va. – The 7th – ranked Randolph-Macon softball team bounced back in a big way, sweeping the day against New Paltz and Meredith, using both elite pitching and batting to being March.
The Basics:
Scores: Randolph-Macon 4, New Paltz 0, Randolph-Macon 15, Meredith 3
Location: Ashland, Va.//Randolph-Macon College//Carol Estes Park
Records: Randolph-Macon (4-2, 0-0 ODAC), Meredith (2-4, 0-0 USA South), New Paltz (2-2, 0-0 SUNYAC)
How it Happened (New Paltz)
Game 1:
- Randolph-Macon saw Sierra Kegley (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) start the game dealing in the circle. The freshman sat down four New Paltz batters in the first four innings. The Hawks held the Lemon and Black in check at the plate in the first three innings, allowing only one hit.
- In the bottom of the fourth inning, Charlotte Boswell (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run) hit a two-out double into the right center gap and created a scoring threat for Randolph-Macon. Ripley Barry (Buchanan, Va./James River) in the next at-bat hit a single into left field, but Boswell would be thrown out at home to end the inning and the score still tied at 0-0.
- The Hawks had Ava Thys hit a two-out single and stole second to create a scoring threat for New Paltz in the fifth. Kelsey O'Brien singled up the middle, as Thys tried to score from second to give the lead to the Hawks. Alyssa Meharg (Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen) threw a strike to nail Thys at the plate and preserve the tie and end the inning.
- The Yellow Jackets had Jacy Ramos (Williamsburg, Va./Lafayette) lead off the bottom of the fifth with a scorched double off the left field fence. Ellie Herndon (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) was sent in to pinch hit with two-outs and laced a single into left field to plate Ramos. The inning was not over, as the Hawks walked Tori Powell (Freeman, Va./Mecklenburg County) and Mya Davis (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) to load up the bases. Reagan Hill (Hanover, Va./Hanover) broke the game open with double into left center field, clearing the bases and gave Randolph-Macon a 4-0 lead.
- Kegley shut down New Paltz in the seventh inning, striking out two of the final three batters to get the shutout and a RMC 4-0 win.
By the Numbers
- Kegley tossed her first career complete game shutout. The freshman ended the game giving up only six hits and struck out eight batters.
- Hill led the team in RBIs with three overall in the game.
- Boswell led the team in hits with two in the game, including her double in the fourth inning.
- Herndon recorded the only lone RBI for the Lemon and Black in the game.
- Ramos, Davis, Powell, and Meharg all scored for the Yellow Jackets.
How it Happened (Meredith)
Game 2:
- Powell kicked off the party in game two with a lead-off homer in the first inning, pushing RMC out in front 1-0. Davis doubled to left field in the following at-bat and was brought home by a Hill single into right field. The final run of the inning came, as Riley Koscinski (Chesterfield, Va./Manchester) singled home Hill and the Yellow Jackets grabbed a commanding 3-0 lead.
- In the third inning, Hill hit a home run to lead-off the inning and scored the fourth run of the game for RMC. Ramos would later reach on a fielding error at third base by Meredith and scored on a Herndon double down the left field line. Herndon represented the third and final run of the inning, as she scored on a Kiley Lamberth (Mechanicsville, Va./Mechanicsville) single into left field. The three runs scored, doubled the Randolph-Macon lead to 6-0.
- The Avenging Angels needed one swing of the bat by Ashbee Standridge to cut the lead in half, as a three-run homer in the bottom of the third cut the RMC lead to 6-3.
- In the fourth inning, Davis doubled down the left field line and scored on a Hill single into left field. One more run was added when Boswell reached base on a fielders choice, but scored on a Ramos single. The Yellow Jackets grew its lead back to 8-3.
- Powell scored in the fifth inning on a an error by Meredith during an at-bat with Jordan Brown (Yorktown, Va./Tabb), extending the RMC lead to 9-3. The Lemon and Black had Reaghan Strine (Westminster, Md./Maryvale Prepatory School) reach an another Avenging Angels error in the sixth inning and she scored on a Katerina Brabson (Chesapeake Beach, Md./Northern) single into left field. The lead for Randolph-Macon grew to 10-3.
- The final inning saw the Yellow Jackets pound the ball offensively, scoring five runs. Ava Harper (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) crossed home on a Brown sacrifice flyout for the first run. Meharg reached base by way of an error to allow Ashley Bush (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) to score. Brabson was responsible for two runs, driving a ball down the right field line for a triple and scored Meharg and Boswell. The final run of the game came by way of a Bailey Talley (Criagsville, Va./Buffalo Gap) single up to the middle to score Brabson.
- In the bottom of the seventh, Courtney Guthrie (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) finished of the game in the circle and Randolph-Macon ended the day defeating Meredith 15-3.
By the Numbers
- Kailey Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va./Colonial) started the game for the Lemon and Black, tossing 3.1 innings to receive the win. The sophomore gave up three runs on three hits and walked three batters.
- Brabson had a great showing in 2.2 innings of relief for Randolph-Macon. The sophomore struck out four batters and allowed only three hits.
- Guthrie pitched a clean seventh inning for the Yellow Jackets.
- Hill recorded three hits in the game with a homer and three RBIs.
- Powell homered, hit a double and scored two times in the game.
- Davis ended the day 2-for-3 with two doubles and a stolen base.
- Brabson drove in three runs at the plate with a triple.
- Brown had a multi-RBI game with two.
- Ramos, Koscinski, Herndon, Talley and Lamberth all had an RBI.
For the Record
- The 15 runs is the most runs scored in a game since the program scored 15 runs against Randolph on 3/27/22.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will be back in action on the road in the Triangle Classic in Cary, North Carolina on Saturday, March 7.
