Richard Bland Falls To No. 10 Florence-Darlington (S.C.) 3-12 (6), 6-10

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Sophomore Katelyn King/Chesterfield had three hits and one RBI, and freshman Ashley Fritz/North Chesterfield had two hits and three RBIs, but Richard Bland College dropped a Region 10 softball doubleheader to No. 10 Florence-Darlington (S.C.) Technical College on Saturday at the RBC Softball Field.  Sophomore Tabby Dabney/Mechanicsville took the pitching decision in the 12-3 run-rule shortened opener for the host Statesmen (12-18, 10-7), while sophomore Shannon Buffington/Virginia Beach took the pitching decision in the 10-6 nightcap against the visiting and nationally-ranked Stingers (21-8, 11-5). 

In the first game, Richard Bland scored three runs on three hits, plating all three runs in the fifth inning of the six inning contest.  In the fifth, Fritz (1-3, RBI) and King (1-2, RBI) each had run-scoring singles that scored freshman Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper (0-1) and Fritz, respectively, while freshman Kara Morris/Kents Store (0-2, RBI) provided a sacrifice fly that scored sophomore Morgan Whitley/Franklin (0-0).  Bilyard and Whitley each drew walks during the at-bat with Bilyard adding a stolen base, as well.

Fritz, King and freshman Taylor Daniel/Alberta (1-1) each collected a hit in game one for Richard Bland.

Dabney (4-6) started in the circle and tossed the first 3.1 innings, scattering eight hits and seven runs, two earned, with four strikeouts and two walks.  Sophomore Katelyn Cobb/Newsoms pitched 1.2 innings, yielding one hit and two runs, unearned, with one strikeout and two walks.  Buffington tossed the final inning, allowing four hits and three runs, two earned, with no strikeouts and no walks.

In the second game, Richard Bland scored six runs on eight hits, including two runs in the first inning, three runs in the second and one run in the third.  In the first, Fritz (1-4, 2 RBIs) had a two-out, two-run single that plated both Dabney (1-4, RBI) and Daniel (1-2), who had walked and reached on an infield single, respectively. 

In the second, King (2-3) and sophomore August Ringer/Yale (2-3) each singled and later crossed the plate when Daniel reached on a throwing error and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt back to the circle.  Daniel scored on a ground ball out by Dabney, who was bunting, as well.  In the third, King walked, stole second base and later crossed the plate courtesy of a passed ball.

King and Ringer each had two hits in game two for Richard Bland. 

Buffington (4-9) started in the circle and tossed the first 4.2 innings, allowing 12 hits and eight runs, two earned, with one strikeout and one walk.  Bilyard pitched the final 2.1 innings, yielding one hit and two runs, unearned, with four strikeouts and two walks.

Richard Bland will remain at home to welcome Southside Virginia Community College for a doubleheader next Tuesday, April 11 at 3 p.m. at the RBC Softball Field.