SB SPLITS DAY ONE, FACES SOUTHEASTERN CC IN CONSILATION GAME

BURLINGTON, N.C.  – The Richard Bland College softball team split in the first day of the Region X Softball Championship. The Statesmen toppled Florence-Darlington Tech in its first game 8-0 before dropping a 9-5 decision to Surry Community College.

The Statesmen wasted no time in the day's first contest, a seven-run explosion in the fifth inning carried the Statesmen to an 8-0 win in five innings over Florence-Darlington. RBC scored in the fifth on an RBI single by Amanda Archer (Amelia, VA), an error, a sacrifice fly by Kristin Saunders (New Kent, VA), an RBI single by Kimberly Ellis (LC Bird), an RBI single by Ellis, an RBI single by Ellis, an RBI single by Taylor Slate (Emporia, VA), an RBI single by Hannah Barnes (Emporia, VA) and an RBI single by Barnes.

Statesmen's Saunders kept Florence-Darlington off the scoreboard for all five innings she was on the rubber. She pitched a shutout, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out one.

Richard Bland would take on Surry in the day's second game, where the Statesmen mustered more hits but fell short, 9-5 to the Lady Knights.

Although the bottom of the second saw the Statesmen take an early 4-0 lead, Surry answered back with runs of their own. The Lady Knights scored three runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings as Surry would not relinquish the lead.

Saunders took the loss at the mound, she allowed six runs in 1 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out two.

The Statesmen will return to action on Sunday, when they face Southeastern CC of Whiteville in consolation game. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.

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

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