Richard Bland Drops Doubleheader To Louisburg (N.C.) 2-14, 4-15

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Freshman Kay'Lee Justice/Suffolk had a hit and an RBI in game one, while Justice and freshmen Kamryn Lanier/Chester and Kennedy Presson/Wakefield each had a hit and an RBI in game two, as Richard Bland College dropped a softball doubleheader to NJCAA Division I Louisburg (N.C.) College on Wednesday night in Petersburg.  Freshman Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper had the pitching decision in the 14-2 opener for the host Statesmen (7-12), while sophomore Shannon Buffington/Virginia Beach had the pitching decision in the 15-4 nightcap against the visiting Hurricanes (19-5). 

In the first game, Richard Bland scored two runs on three hits, plating both runs in the fourth inning of the run-rule shortened contest.  In the fourth, Justice (1-1, RBI) had a run-scoring single that scored sophomore Tabby Dabney/Mechanicsville (1-2) and freshman Kara Morris/Kents Store (1-3).

Dabney, Justice and Morris each collected a hit in game one for Richard Bland. 

Bilyard (2-2) started in the circle and tossed the first 2.0-plus innings, scattering four hits and four runs, all earned, with two strikeouts and three walks.  Bilyard had to leave the game in the top of the third when the lead-off batter lined a hard hit ball straight back at the circle and off Bilyard's head, causing a delay while she was attended to and removed from the contest, but fortunately was not seriously injured.  Dabney pitched the final 3.0 innings, allowing 11 hits and 10 runs, six earned, with three strikeouts and no walks.

In the second game, Richard Bland scored four runs on six hits, including one run each in the first and second innings, and two runs in the fifth inning of the run-rule shortened contest.  In the first, sophomore Katelyn King/Chesterfield (0-3) crossed the plate when Dabney (0-3) reached on a fielding error.  In the second, Lanier (1-1, RBI) provided an RBI single to score sophomore Morgan Whitley/Franklin (1-2).

In the fifth, Justice (1-3, RBI) and Presson (1-3, RBI) each contributed run-scoring doubles to plate Morris (1-3) and Justice, respectively. 

Whitley, freshman Ashley Fritz/North Chesterfield (1-1), Justice, Lanier, Morris and Presson each had a hit in game two for Richard Bland.

Buffington (2-6) started in the circle and tossed 3.0 innings, yielding seven hits and seven runs, four earned, with one strikeout and five walks.  Dabney pitched 2.0 innings, allowing seven hits and eight runs, all unearned, with no strikeouts and one walk.

Richard Bland will travel to play at Region 10 member Patrick Henry Community College on Friday, March 24 at 1 p.m. in Martinsville.