EICHELBERGER, BUFFINGTON LEAD SOFTBALL PAST SOUTHEASTERN C.C-WHITEVILLE

WHITEVILLE, N.C., — The slap-hitting and fleet feet of sophomore Abby Eichelberger combined with a yeoman's pitching effort by freshman Shannon Buffington, led the Richard Bland College softball team to a 4-3, 11-0 sweep over Southeastern Community College-Whiteville on Sunday afternoon in Region X Conference action.

In two games, the left-hand hitting Eichelberger rapped out three hits in five plate appearances. It was her single and subsequent two stolen bases in the top of the eighth that allowed her to score the winning run off a wild pitch in a 4-3 win in eight innings. Buffington, meanwhile, shouldered the pitching chores for the Statesmen in both games, pitching the full eight innings in the opener and an additional three innings in the second game, only departing after Richard Bland had secured a comfortable 8-0 lead. 

The Statesmen broke out of their offensive doldrums on Sunday, particularly in the second game with 15 hits, as six players had two or more hits in the contest.

Sunday's sweep improves Richard Bland to 2-9 on the season and 2-2 in Region X Conference. The Statesmen will next play on March 4 in the home opener against Pitt C.C. at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

Richard Bland 11, Southeastern C.C.-Whiteville 0

The Statesmen banged out 15 hits, all singles, in their breakout offensive game of the season. RBC scored a single run in the first, tacked on three runs in the second, four in the third and three in the fifth in registering the shutout victory. Buffington drove home three runs and Eichelberger, along with sophomore Whitney Clements, each had two RBI. Clements led the offensive attack with three hits, 

Buffington and freshman Tabby Dabney, who pitched the final two innings, combined on a four-hit shutout.

Richard Bland 4, Southeastern C.C.-Whiteville, 3

The opening game had more drama than the nightcap. It featured five lead changes, and it wasn't until the eighth inning that the game was decided. The Statesmen held a 3-1 lead after 3 1/2 innings, getting a big two run RBI from sophomore Amanda Archer, whose single to center brought home Dabney and freshman Madison Waycaster. Dabney was on base three times, with two singles, an RBI and run scored. 

Southeastern C.C. knotted the game 3-3 in its home fifth.

Eichelberger was the catalyst in the eighth inning, leading off with a slap single to the left side and then stole both second and third. A wild pitch allowed her to scamper home with the winning run.

Buffington pitched eight innings and allowed one earned run, seven hits and no walks with five strike outs. 

The Statesmen had six hits in the opener.