ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Randolph-Macon softball notched a gritty midweek sweep over N.C. Wesleyan, behind impressive pitching and timely hitting.
The Basics:
Scores: Randolph-Macon 7, N.C. Wesleyan 0 // Randolph-Macon 5, N.C. Wesleyan 2
Location: Rocky Mount, N.C.//North Carolina Wesleyan University
Records: Randolph-Macon (15-11, 2-4 ODAC), N.C. Wesleyan (18-9-1, 7-1 USA South)
How it Happened
Game 1:
- Randolph-Macon got the scoring starting in the third inning, taking a 2-0 lead. Charlotte Boswell (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run) hit a one out single into left field to begin the inning and Ashley Bush (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) homered in the next at-bat.
- In the fifth inning, Katerina Brabson (Chesapeake Beach, Md./Northern) led off the inning with a single. Jacy Ramos (Williamsburg, Va./Lafayette) was sent into pinch run and stole second. The Battling Bishops had two outs in the inning and Kiley Lamberth (Mechanicsville, Va./Mechanicsville) came through with a single to score Ramos and extended the lead to 3-0 for the Lemon and Black.
- The Yellow Jackets broke the game open in the sixth inning, adding much needed run support to their lead. Alyssa Meharg (Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen) drew a walk, stole second and scored on a Tori Powell (Freeman, Va./Mecklenburg County) double. Mya Davis (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) hit a double to switch places with Powell in the next at-bat. Brabson kept the inning going with a single and the big blow came off the bat of Boswell that doubled home Davis and Brabson. Randolph-Macon used the four run inning to boost its lead to 7-0.
- In the bottom of the seventh inning, N.C. Wesleyan started the inning with a double to create a threat. Sierra Kegley (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) sat down the next three batters to secure the 7-0 game one victory for the Lemon and Black.
By the Numbers
- Kegley started the game for the Yellow Jackets, tossing her fifth complete game shutout of the season. The freshman allowed just two hits in the game and struck out three batters.
- Bush ended the game going 1-for-4 with a two-run homer.
- Boswell and Davis both went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
- Powell went 2-for-4 with an RBI double.
- Lamberth recorded the last RBI for the Lemon and Black in the game.
- Brabson recorded a 3-for-4 game with a run scored.
How it Happened
Game 2:
- In the first inning, the Battling Bishops got Kayla Simmons and Kyiah Simmons to both reach with fielder's choices and Savannah Bain singled to load up the bases with two outs. Vivian Lloyd had the count full and singled into left field to plate Kayla Simmons from third. Kailey Jackson (Virginia Beach, Va./Colonial) managed the damage to one run by forcing Aleah Jones to flyout to right field and N.C. Wesleyan took the early 1-0 lead.
- The Battling Bishops saw Ragan Holloman draw a leadoff walk to begin the third inning. Kayla Simmons singled and Kyiah Simmons reached on a fielding error by the Lemon and Black to load up the bases. Holloman scored on a passed ball to extend the N.C. Wesleyan lead to 2-0. Kegley was sent in for relief and limited the damage to one run and after three innings of play the Battling Bishops lead 2-0.
- In the fourth inning, the Yellow Jackets started to get back on track at the plate. Bush and Lamberth both hit singles to begin the inning and Jordan Brown (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Reagan Hill (Hanover, Va./Hanover) singled home Bush to cut the NCWU lead in half. Ellie Herndon (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) tied up the game on a sacrifice flyout to allow Lamberth to score. Randolph-Macon took the two runs in the inning and tied up the game at 2-2.
- The Lemon and Black kept the pressure on in the sixth inning, beginning with Bush reaching first by a fielding error. Ramos pinch ran for Bush and in the next at-bat Lamberth also reached on an error by the Battling Bishops. Randolph-Macon took advantage and Brown hit a single to bring Ramos home and give the lead to the Yellow Jackets. The fielding woes continued for N.C. Wesleyan, as Hill reached on an error to load up the bases with no outs in the inning. Herndon reached on a fielder's choice and let Lamberth score from third base. The final run of the inning came on a single by Powell to plate Brown and shot RMC in front by a score of 5-2.
- In the seventh inning, Kegley did not let NCWU an opportunity to mount a comeback and Randolph-Macon won game two 5-2 for the sweep on the day.
By the Numbers
- Jackson started the game for the Lemon and Black, tossing two innings and gave up two runs on four hits. Kegley came in for relief and pitched five scoreless innings for the win. The freshman gave up five hits and struck out five batters.
- Powell ended the game 2-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases.
- Hill, Brown and Herndon all recorded an RBI in the game.
- Bush recorded two hits for the Yellow Jackets and scored a run.
For the Record
- Kegley notched her fifth shutout of the season, placing her tied for tenth for a single season in program history.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon stays on the road for a conference matchup at #1 Virginia Wesleyan on Friday, April 3.
