Softball Sweeps Trojans in Weekend Series

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Softball team moves to 4-5 overall, 4-4 in conference play and after hosting the Trojans of Fayetteville Technical Community College Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

In game one, despite trailing by as many as 10 runs, Richard Bland rallied to best the Trojans, 12-11 on Saturday. Richard Bland collected nine hits and the Trojans 11, in the high-scoring affair. Fayetteville Tech was the first to get on the board in the first inning. Richard Bland scored six runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ashely Beamon doubled, scoring two runs, Shelby Godfrey singled, scoring one run, and Sara Graham doubled, scoring three runs. Richard Bland tied the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a single by Godfrey, and a double by Jessica Taggart. Elexyona Moore earned the win for Richard Bland. The right-handed pitcher surrendered 10 hits and six runs over seven innings, striking out seven and walking two.

In game two, it came down to the wire as Richard Bland grabbed the victory is walk-off fashion, 12-11, over the Trojans. The game was tied at 11 in the bottom of the seventh when Jessica Taggart singled, scoring one run. Bats blistered as the Statesmen collected 12 hits in the high scoring game. The Trojans once again were the first to get on the board, in the first inning. In the bottom of the first inning, Richard Bland took the 3-1 lead. Fayetteville Tech captured the lead in the top of the second, but the Statesmen regained the lead  in the bottom of the inning when Ashley Beamon doubled, Taggart singled, and Brookelynne Winterson doubled, each scoring one run. Richard Bland added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning after McKynzi Dawson grounded out, and Shelby Godfrey singled, each scoring one run. Richard Bland scored one run in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run to left field by Sara Graham. Taggart and Winterson each collected three hits. Dawson stepped in the circle first for Richard Bland. She surrendered four hits and four runs over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking three. Elexyona Moore earned the win for the Statesmen. Moore surrendered four hits and four runs over three innings, striking out one and walking one.

In game three, Richard Bland snatched the lead late in their 7-5 victory. The game was tied at five in the bottom of the sixth when Beamon homered to left field, scoring two runs. Richard Bland tied the game up early once again in the bottom of the first thanks to a tag up by Beamon, and a single by Moore. Brookelynne Winterson hit into a fielder's choice, which helped Richard Bland tie the game at five in the bottom of the fifth. Beamon and Godfrey each collected two hits for the Statesmen. Beamon led the offense with two runs batted in, going 2-for-4 in the nightcap. McKynzi Dawson led things off in the circle. The right-handed pitcher gave up nine hits and five runs over three innings, striking out one and walking one. Taylor Green earned the win for the Statesmen, surrendering five hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out three and walking two.

The Richard Bland College softball team next travels to Cleveland Community College on Saturday, March 9^th and Sunday, March 10^th for the three-game conference series. Game one will take place Saturday at 3pm, while games two and three are set for Sunday in a 12pm doubleheader.