Richard Bland Splits Against Visiting Pitt (N.C.) 3-9, 6-4

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Freshman Mary Simms/Orange had two hits and one RBI in the first game, and added three hits and two RBIs in the second game, as Richard Bland split a Region 10 softball doubleheader against Pitt (N.C.) on Friday at the Statesman Softball Field.  Freshman Megan Vincent/Boykins earned the pitching victory in relief in the 6-4 nightcap for the host Statesmen (21-10, 10-8 Region 10), after taking the pitching setback in the 3-9 opener against the visiting Bulldogs (21-6, 10-5 Region 10).

In game two, Richard Bland had six runs on 10 hits … scoring one run in the first inning, two runs in the third, one run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth inning for the victory.  The closely-played contest was tied at 3-3 through four innings before the Statesmen rallied to lead 6-3 through six innings toward the two-run triumph.

Simms was 3-4 with a triple, double, one run and two RBIs, while freshman Katie Haney/Burkeville was 3-4 with a triple.  Sophomore Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper was 1-2 with a sacrifice fly, one run and one RBI, while sophomores Kamryn Lanier/Chester (0-3, walk) and Kara Morris/Kents Store (0-1) each added RBIs.

Vincent (8-4) pitched the final 4.2 innings for the win, yielding three hits and one run, earned, with one strikeout and three walks.  Brooklynn Bilyard started in the circle and pitched the first 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and three runs, all earned, with no strikeouts and four walks.

In game one, Richard Bland had three runs on eight hits … scoring one run in the second inning and two runs in the fourth inning.  The Statesmen led 3-0 through four innings before Pitt CC scored its nine runs over the final three innings.

Simms was 2-3 with a double, one run and one RBI, Lanier was 2-2, freshman Kayla Hand/Chesapeake was 1-3 with one RBI and Haney was 1-3 with one run and two stolen bases.

Vincent started in the circle and pitched the first 5.0 innings, allowing 12 hits and seven runs, all earned, with three strikeouts and three walks.  Freshman Joana Holland/Manassas tossed the final 2.0 innings, yielding three hits and two runs, one earned, with one strikeout and one walk.

Richard Bland is scheduled to play on the road at NJCAA Division I Louisburg (N.C.) on Sunday, April 15, a doubleheader set for 12 p.m. in Louisburg, North Carolina.