Richard Bland Sweeps Visiting Lehigh Carbon (Pa.) 5-4, 9-2

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Sophomore Ashley Fritz/Chesterfield had four hits and three RBIs, and freshman Skyler Bagnall/Ivor had a walk-off RBI single in the opener, while freshman Mary Simms/Orange had a home run and three RBIs in the nightcap, to lead Richard Bland College to a non-region softball doubleheader sweep past Lehigh Carbon (Pa.) on Monday at the Statesman Softball Field.  Freshman Joana Holland/Manassas gained the pitching win in relief in the 5-4 first game for the host Statesmen (8-3), while sophomore Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper earned the complete-game win in the 9-2 second game with a career-high 16 strikeouts against the visiting Cougars (0-2).

In game one, Richard Bland had five runs on 14 hits … scoring one run in the first inning, two runs in the second, one run in the third and the game-winning run in the seventh.  The Statesmen took leads of 1-0, 3-0, 4-0 and 5-4 for the victory.

Fritz led Richard Bland, going 4-4 with a double and three RBIs, while Bagnall was 2-3 with one run, one walk and the dramatic walk-off RBI single in the seventh inning with one out.  Sophomore Kara Morris/Kents Store was 2-4 with two runs, classmate Kay'Lee Justice/Suffolk was 2-4, Simms was 2-4, Brooklynn Bilyard was 1-4 with a triple and one run and freshman Kayla Shaffer/Richmond was 1-2 with an RBI.

Shaffer started in the circle and pitched the first 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, all unearned, with four strikeouts and two walks.  Holland (2-1) pitched the final 2.1 scoreless innings, yielding one hit with five strikeouts and two walks.

In game two, Richard Bland had nine runs on 15 hits … scoring three runs in the second inning, two runs in the fourth and four runs in the sixth.  The Statesmen took leads of 3-0, 5-1 and 9-2 for the victory.

Simms led Richard Bland, going 2-4 with a home run … her team-leading third homer this season and second in two days … two runs and three RBIs, while freshman Taylor Bilyard/Culpeper was 3-4 with two runs.  Sophomore Kamryn Lanier/Chester was 2-3 with a double, one run, one RBI, one walk and one stolen base, Justice was 2-3 with two runs and a walk, Fritz was 2-3 with one run and one stolen base, Morris was 1-3 with two RBIs and Brooklynn Bilyard was 1-4 with a triple, one run and one RBI.

Brooklynn Bilyard (3-1) started in the circle and pitched 7.0 innings, yielding just two hits and two runs, both earned, with the career-high 16 strikeouts and four walks.  She has 29 strikeouts in her last two appearances over 13.0 innings.

Richard Bland, winners of seven-straight games, remains at home for another non-region doubleheader against Southern Maryland on Wednesday, March 7, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Statesman Softball Field.