Softball Drops Two on Opening Day

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College softball team opens the season at 0-2 overall after hosting NCAA Division III William Peace University Friday afternoon in a non conference match-up.

In game one, Richard Bland's effort to come back from down five runs in the second inning came up just short, as they fell 9-11 to the Pacers. Richard Bland managed nine runs in the failed comeback. Shelby Godfrey, Jenna Nicolski, Casey Hart, and Gracie Fisher came through with rbis to lead the rally. The Statesmen notched three runs in the fifth inning and evened things up at nine in the bottom of the seventh inning when an error scored one run for Richard Bland. Nicolski was in the circle for the Statesmen. The righty lasted two innings, allowing three hits and four runs while striking out two and walking zero. Hart threw six and a third innings in relief. The Statesmen had 13 hits in the game. Lily Curtis, Godfrey, Emma Fleming, Hart, and Nicolski all managed multiple hits for the green and white. Curtis went 3-for-5 at the plate to lead Richard Bland.

In game two, Richard Bland lost the lead late in an 8-11 defeat. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Richard Bland scored three runs and tied things up at six. The offensive onslaught came from singles by Shelby Godfrey and Jayanna Richards, and a walk by Madison Nixon also scoring one run. Richard Bland collected nine hits in the nightcap. Emma Fleming led Richard Bland with three hits in five at bats. Richards was on the rubber for Richard Bland. The pitcher allowed 12 hits and eight runs over six and a third innings, striking out four. Lily Curtis threw two-thirds of an inning in relief.

The Richard Bland College softball team next travels to Brunswick Community College on Friday, March 3^rd for a conference doubleheader beginning at 3pm.