SB FALLS SHORT OF 2015 REGION X SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE, FOUR EARN ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS

BURLINGTON, N.C. – The quest for the 2015 Region X DII Softball Championship title came down to the wire on Sunday afternoon but it was the Lady Knights of Surry Community College who had the advantage as they topped Richard Bland College in the conference championship game 3-1 at Springwood Park.

The win gives the Lady Knights the Region X DII Softball Championship title and advances them to the World Series with an automatic bid while the Statesmen season comes to an end with a 32-12 overall record.

Richard Bland entered play on Sunday needing to top Surry twice to earn the title. The Lady Knights defeated the Statesmen in game one 9-5 which sent RBC into the losers bracket. The Statesmen would face Southeastern CC of Whiteville in an elimination game and would come out on top with a 1-0 advantage.

Freshman Kristin Saunders (New Kent, VA) pitched six strong innings to carry the Statesmen to a 1-0 win, the Statesmen was only able to score one run which was the games lone run as RBC crossed the plate in the first inning on a steal home.

After defeating the Lady Rams, the Statesmen had to face Surry again after moving back into the winner's bracket.

Freshman Whitney Clements (Prince George, VA) racked up two RBI on three hits to lead the Statesmen to a 7-1 victory over the Lady Knights. Clements homered in the third inning and singled in the first and sixth innings.

Saunders got the win on the mound for RBC, she allowed one run over three innings. She struck out two, walked one and gave up just two hits.

The victory would send both teams into the championship game with the title on the line after each team had beaten each other once in the tournament.

As the championship game got underway, both teams would score one run in the first inning and go scoreless in the second until the Lady Knights scored two runs when Kelsie Griffin singled to left field scoring teammate Taylor Little and Regan Gentry advancing to second, eventually scoring to extend the lead 3-1.

The Statesmen trailed over four innings and had one last attempt in the seventh to tie the game but Surry managed to hold on to its lead and secure the 3-1 victory.

Sophomore Taylor Slate (Emporia, VA) led the way for RBC as she went 2-of-2 and scored the Statesmen only run in the setback.

Sophomore Tara Heatwole (Williamsburg, VA) efforts was not enough, despite her efforts of striking out six batters in five innings pitched, allowing three hits and walking one. Saunders would account for the loss, she lasted two innings, walking one and allowing three runs.

The Statesmen defense allowed five hits total in the contest.

Four Statesmen were named to the 2015 All-Region X Tournament Team, including Heatwole, Slate, freshman Erin Forbes (Camden, NC) and freshman Kimberly Ellis (L.C. Bird).

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

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