RICHARD BLAND SOFTBALL SWEEPS FLORENCE-DARLINGTON TECH IN REGION X CLASH

FLORENCE, S.C. – The Richard Bland College softball team picked up Region X conference victories at Florence-Darlington Technical Community College on Saturday afternoon by scores of 9-3 and 9-1.

RBC (14-7, 8-0 Region X) pounded out 24 total hits in the twin bill while Florence-Darlington Tech (14-7, 0-2 Region X) recorded 12 hits in the doubleheader.

Richard Bland got things going in the third inning in game one, the Statesmen scored three runs on an error and a sacrifice fly by Hannah Barnes (Emporia, VA). RBC built upon its lead with two runs in the fifth that included Erin Forbes (Camden, VA) double to bring home Barnes, that followed up by Amanda Archer's (Amelia, VA) single, plating Forbes.

Three runs in the bottom of the fifth would help the Lady Stingers close the deficit, 5-3 but despites the rally, the Statesmen scored four more runs in the sixth to close out the game. The Statesmen was led by Kimberly Ellis (Chesterfield, VA) hitting, who went 3-of-4 from the plate and scored two runs.

Kristin Saunders (New Kent, VA) got the win for the Statesmen after she allowed three runs over five innings, striking out two but it was Tara Heatwole (Williamsburg, VA) who shut down the Lady Stingers while she was at the rubber. Heatwole struck out two and allowed no earned runs over two innings.

Like the first game, the Statesmen struck first in the top of the first innings of game two. Ellis paced the Statesmen at the plate going 3-of-4, driving one and scoring two runs.

RBC scored four runs in the first inning and later two more runs in the fifth inning after Saunders got a sacrifice fly to bring home Barnes while in the seventh after Ellis singled to score Hayley Olson which followed by Taylor Slate's double to plate Ellis.

Heatwole would get the win at the mound, she allowed one run over seven innings, striking out three, walked none and surrendered seven hits.

Richard Bland returns to action on Sunday, March 29 making a stop at conference for Southeastern Community College of Whiteville. First pitch of the doubleheader between the Lady Rams and Statesmen is 12 noon.

For more information on RBC softball, visit rbcathletics.com.

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