Richard Bland Defeats Harford (Md.) 14-11 / Game Two Canceled

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. – Sophomore Kara Morris/Kents Store and freshman Taylor Bilyard/Culpeper hit grand slam home runs in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, to lead Richard Bland College to a 14-11 non-region softball victory past NJCAA Division I Harford (Md.) on Monday afternoon at the Statesman Softball Field.  Freshman Kayla Shaffer/Richmond gained the pitching win in relief for the host Statesmen (2-3), while classmate Megan Vincent/Boykins earned the save in the circle against the visiting Fighting Owls (0-6).  The scheduled nightcap was canceled due to wet weather.

Richard Bland had 14 runs on 12 hits … scoring three runs in the first inning, two runs in the third, four runs in the fourth, four runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth.  The Statesmen took leads of 3-0, 5-4, 9-7, 13-8 and 14-11 for the final three-run margin of victory in the home opener.  The contest was played in a steady rain throughout, and game two was canceled with additional rain expected.  The wet weather contributed to a combined 16 walks and seven errors during the game.

Taylor Bilyard led Richard Bland, going 2-3 with her grand slam, two runs scored, one walk and five RBIs, while Morris was 1-2 with her grand slam, two runs scored, two walks and four RBIs.  Morris hit her bases loaded home run, the first of her collegiate career, to left center field with two outs in the fourth, while Taylor Bilyard hit her bases loaded homer, the first of her collegiate career, as well, to nearly the same spot in left center with two outs in the fifth.

Sophomore Kamryn Lanier/Chester was 2-4 with a double and two RBIs, while classmate Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper was 2-4 with a triple, two runs scored and one walk.  Freshman Caitlin Stout/Dinwiddie was 2-2 with one run scored, sophomore Ashley Fritz/Chesterfield was 1-4 with a double, two runs scored and one walk, and classmate Kay'Lee Justice/Suffolk was 1-1 with a double, two runs scored and three walks.

Brooklynn Bilyard started in the circle and pitched the first 3.2 innings, scattering two hits and seven runs, five earned, with two strikeouts and six walks.  Shaffer (1-0) tossed 1.2 innings of middle relief for the win, allowing six hits and four runs, all earned, with two strikeouts and two walks.  Vincent pitched the final 1.2 scoreless innings for the save (1), yielding two hits with five strikeouts and no walks.

Richard Bland will remain at home to play another non-region doubleheader against Hagerstown (Md.) on Tuesday, February 25, beginning at 3 p.m.