STATESMEN BATTLE FOR SPLIT FOR SOPHOMORE DAY

PETERSBURG, Va. – The eleventh-ranked Richard Bland College women's softball team split a pair of nonconference games on Wednesday afternoon against Division I Louisburg College. The Statesmen post a 23-10 overall record on the season after Wednesday's contests. Richard Bland dropped a 6-5 decision in the first game before grabbing a 7-6 win in the nightcap.

The Statesmen opened up day with three runs in the bottom of the third inning in game one when Taylor Slate (Emporia, VA) and Hannah Barnes (Emporia, VA) scored on an error. Hayley Olson (Richmond, VA) singled to shortstop to score Erin Forbes (Camden, NC) to stretch the lead 3-0.

Louisburg's Kim Mobley homered down left field to cut the Statesmen deficit to 3-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Mobley's homer would ignite the Lady Hurricanes as Kelsey Follrod hit a homer to tie the ball game at three even, followed by another homer down left field from Lauren Sitterson and Erica Gurkin down right field to give LC a 5-3 advantage.

The Lady Hurricanes (25-13) scored another run in the sixth but Richard Bland would claw its way back in the game in the bottom of the sixth after Slate homered to right field and Barnes scored on an error to bring the Statesmen within one but they were unable to take the win suffering a 6-5 setback.

Tara Heatwole (Williamsburg, VA) took the loss at the mound, she lasted four innings, walking none, striking out one and allowing five runs.

In the day's second game, RBC got off to an early 1-0 lead when Slate scored off of Forbes sacrifice fly but that run was short lived after LC's Megon Smith homered to left field to tie the game.

The Lady Hurricanes bats caught fire following Smith's homer as Ryann Kostandin hit a home run to score a teammate and give LC a 3-1 lead in the second inning, however, the Statesmen managed to score in the bottom of the inning after Slate reached on a fielder's choice and Mackenzie Babb (Chesapeake, VA) scored to cut the deficit 3-2.

In the third, RBC took momentum after Forbes scored on Olson's fielder's choice. From there the Statesmen got the offense going when Jordan Byrd (Thomas Dale) singled to right field, scoring Olson and Amanda Archer (Amelia, VA). Babb would score on an error to extend the Statesmen lead 6-3 to close out the inning.

Louisburg scored two runs in the fourth after a hit by pitch and walk from Mikie Williams (Fredericksburg, VA) while bases were loaded. After a pitching change, Heatwole would strike out the next two batters going into the bottom of the third.

Louisburg scored one run in the fifth to tie the game at six even but the Statesmen would clinch the win after Olson's late sacrifice fly to score Barnes, sealing the 7-6 victory.

Williams recorded her first win on the season as a relief for the Statesmen. She pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs.

Richard Bland returns to action on Saturday, April 18^th when they travel to CCBC Catonsville for a nonconference doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.

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

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