SOFTBALL DROPS DOUBLEHEADER TO OFFENSIVE-MINDED LOUISBURG

LOUISBURG, N.C. (March 12, 2016) — The Richard Bland College softball team ran into a potent offensive Louisburg College team on Saturday afternoon, dropping both games of its doubleheader to the Hurricanes 8-0 in six innings and 9-3, in non-conference action.

The number 12 was significant for Louisburg on Saturday. The Division I Hurricanes extended their winning streak to 12 straight games and recorded 12 hits in each of the contests. Louisburg needed all of those hits to secure victories, particularly in the second game, when the Statesmen recorded 10 hits, their second highest total of the season.

Richard Bland had its three-game winning streak stopped and drops to 7-13 on the season. Louisburg improves to 16-2. The Statesmen will next host Herkimer College in doubleheader action next Saturday, March 19 at 1 pm. Louisburg next travels to Surry College for a doubleheader on March 15 at 2 p.m.

Louisburg 9, Richard Bland 3
The Statesmen knocked around 10 hits, their second highest total of the season, getting three hits from sophomore Hannah Barnes and two each from sophomore Amanda Archer and freshman Tabby Dabney, who had two RBI for Richard Bland. The Statesmen loaded the bases in the first inning and tallied two quick runs as Barnes and sophomore Whitney Clements crossed the plate. RBC went ahead 3-0 after two innings after Barnes scored following her leadoff double and was brought home by a single to the right side by sophomore Kimberly Ellis.

From that point, though, Louisburg took control of the game, scoring four runs in the bottom of the second and third innings to bounce Richard Bland starter Katelyn Cobb, who suffered the loss, from the game. The critical second inning for Louisburg was orchestrated by an RBI double by Brooke Fletcher, a two-run error and a groundout RBI by Dasha Hill. Lauren Sitterson got the win for Louisburg College. She allowed three runs over seven innings. Sitterson struck out five, walked three and gave up 10 hits. The Hurricanes were sparked by Alana VanDenburg and Alexis Hobson, who teamed up for four hits and two RBI. 

Louisburg 8, Richard Bland 0 (six innings)
In the opener, the Statesmen were limited to just three hits, as the middle portion of the game swayed in Louisburg's favor. Leading only 1-0 after three innings, the Hurricanes scored three runs in their home fourth, and two each in the fifth and sixth to secure the victory.

Kayla Meares earned the victory, allowing three hits over six innings.

Freshman Shannon Buffington took the loss for RBC, allowing four earned runs in four innings, allowing seven hits while walking one and striking out two. Louisburg was sparked by Fletcher and Hobson, who teamed for five hits and three RBI.