Richard Bland Sweeps Visiting Hagerstown (Md.) 10-5, 13-5 (6)

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Sophomore Kara Morris/Kents Store and freshman Mary Simms/Orange each hit home runs in the opener, while sophomore Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper had four hits and freshman Taylor Bilyard/Culpeper added three hits in the nightcap, to lead Richard Bland College to a non-region softball doubleheader sweep past Hagerstown (Md.) on Tuesday at the Statesman Softball Field.  Freshman Joana Holland/Manassas gained the pitching win in the 10-5 first game for the host Statesmen (4-3), while classmate Kayla Shaffer/Richmond earned the win in the 13-5, six-inning second game against the visiting Hawks (0-2).

In game one, Richard Bland had 10 runs on nine hits … scoring two runs in the first inning and eight runs in the third, taking leads of 2-1 and 10-3 toward the final five-run margin of victory.

Morris led the Statesmen, going 1-3 with her second home run in as many days, a two-run shot in the third, with one run scored and three RBIs, while Simms was 1-4 with her first collegiate home run, also a two-run blast in the third, with one run scored and two RBIs.  Taylor Bilyard was 1-3 with a triple, one run scored and three RBIs, sophomore Kay'Lee Justice/Suffolk was 1-2 with one run scored, two walks and one RBI, Brooklynn Bilyard was 1-4 with a double and one runs score, while freshman Kayla Hand/Chesapeake was 2-3 with a double and one run scored.

Freshman Megan Vincent/Boykins started in the circle and pitched the first 3.0 innings, scattering six hits and three runs, all earned, with four strikeouts and three walks.  Holland (1-1) tossed the final 4.0 innings for the win, yielding four hits and two runs, both earned, with three strikeouts and three walks.

In game two, Richard Bland had 13 runs on 13 hits … scoring four runs in the first inning, four more runs in the second, one run in the third, one run in the fourth and three runs in the sixth for the eight-run rule victory. 

Brooklynn Bilyard led the Statesmen, going 4-4 with two runs scored, one walk, two RBIs and two stolen bases, while Taylor Bilyard was 3-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs.  Brooklynn Bilyard had a walk-off two-run single for the hosts in the sixth inning.  Morris was 1-4 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs, while sophomore Ashley Fritz/Chesterfield was 2-3 with two doubles, two runs scored, one walk and one RBI.

Brooklynn Bilyard started in the circle and pitched the first 2.1 innings, allowing six hits and five runs, all earned, with five strikeouts and three walks.  Shaffer (2-0) tossed the final 3.2 scoreless innings for the win, yielding one hit with six strikeouts and no walks.

Richard Bland is scheduled to remain at home for another non-region doubleheader against CCBC Catonsville (Md.) on Thursday, March 1, beginning at 3 p.m.