Richard Bland Splits At Southeastern-Whiteville (N.C.) 15-10, 0-9 (5)

WHITEVILLE, N.C. – Sophomore Kara Morris/Kents Store had four hits and two RBIs, and classmate Kay'Lee Justice/Suffolk had three hits and three RBIs, to lead Richard Bland College to a Region 10 softball doubleheader split at Southeastern-Whiteville (N.C.) on Friday afternoon in Whiteville, North Carolina.  Sophomore Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper gained the pitching victory in the 15-10 season-opening win for the visiting Statesmen (1-1, 1-1), while freshman Megan Vincent/Boykins took the pitching setback in the 9-0 nightcap against the host Rams (4-4, 1-3).

In game one, Richard Bland had 15 runs on 15 hits, all singles … scoring three runs in the first inning, four runs in the second, one run in the fifth, six runs in the sixth and one run in the seventh.  The Statesmen took leads of 3-0, 7-1, 8-4, 14-4 and 15-7 toward the final five-run margin of victory to open the 2018 campaign.

Morris led Richard Bland in the opener, going 4-4 with one run and two RBIs, while Justice and sophomore Kamryn Lanier/Chester were each 2-3 with two walks and three RBIs.  Freshman Taylor Bilyard/Culpeper was 2-4 with three runs and a walk, while Brooklynn Bilyard was 2-5 with four runs and one RBI.

Brooklynn Bilyard took the win in the circle with the first 6.0 innings, scattering five hits and seven runs, six earned, with seven strikeouts and five walks.

In game two, Richard Bland had five hits but did not score in the run-rule shortened five-inning contest.  Southeastern-Whiteville scored three runs in the second inning and added six runs in the fourth.

Justice, Taylor Bilyard and freshman Jez Chitty/Stafford were each 1-2, while sophomore Ashley Fritz/Chesterfield was 1-3 with a double, the only extra base hit on the day.  Brooklynn Bilyard was also 1-3 at the plate.

Vincent started in the circle and pitched the first 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and three runs, one earned, with one strikeout and two walks.  Freshman Joana Holland/Manassas tossed the final 2.1 innings, yielding five hits and six runs, four earned, with two strikeouts and one walk.

Richard Bland will remain on the road to play another Region 10 doubleheader at Florence-Darlington (S.C.) on Saturday, February 24, beginning at 12 p.m. in Florence, South Carolina.