No. 14 SOFTBALL DOWNS SOUTHEASTERN-WHITEVILLE FOR SERIES SWEEP

WHITEVILLE, N.C. – No. 14 Richard Bland Statesmen softball team dominated Southeastern Community College of Whiteville for its tenth consecutive Region X victory on the season. The Statesmen swept the Lady Rams to claim the series between both teams, 6-1 and 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Richard Bland (16-7, 10-0 Region X) have won seven consecutive games since dropping to Pitt in a doubleheader split on March 21. Southeastern has dropped to 7-13 overall and 2-6 in the league.

Southeastern would score first in game one at the bottom of the second inning, however the Statesmen would score two runs of its own at the top of the third. Freshman Whitney Clements (Prince George, VA) led the way, she was 2-of-4 from the plate, collecting two hits, two RBI and one run.

The Statesmen would score one run in both the fifth and sixth before scoring two in the seventh to close out game one while holding the Lady Rams scoreless in those innings.

Freshman Kristin Saunders (New Kent, VA) got it done in the circle, she kept runners of the basepaths in her appearance. Despite the Lady Rams two hits off of Saunders, she only allowed one earned run, walking one and striking out seven during her seven innings of work.

Although the second game of the day had both teams in scoring positions, it would be the Statesmen that was able to capitalize and pull away with the 4-1 win. RBC scored first after Erin Forbes (Camden, NC) grounded out to third base to score Taylor Slate (Emporia, VA).

The Statesmen would never look back and make the most of seven hits in the last game after the first inning, scoring one run in the second, one in both the fourth and fifth while holding the Lady Rams to just one run in the third.

Offensively, Slate carried the momentum for the Statesmen with getting on base three times. She accounted for two runs, one hit and one double.

Sophomore Tara Heatwole (Williamsburg, VA) got the win, allowing one run over four innings, striking out three, walking one and surrendering five hits on the day. Saunders put away the final nine outs to record her first save on the season.

Richard Bland will continues its road slate on April 3 when they travel to face Surry Community College for a Region X matchup. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

For more information on RBC softball, visit rbcathletics.com.

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