Richard Bland Sweeps At Bryant & Stratton 10-2 (6), 17-1 (5)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Freshman Mary Simms/Orange had three hits, including a home run in the opener, while sophomore Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper and freshman Taylor Bilyard/Culpeper each had three hits in the nightcap, to lead Richard Bland College to a non-region softball doubleheader sweep at Bryant & Stratton on Sunday in Virginia Beach.  Brooklynn Bilyard gained the complete-game pitching win with a career-high 13 strikeouts in the 10-2, six-inning first game for the visiting Statesmen (6-3), while freshman Megan Vincent/Boykins earned the complete-game win in the 17-1, five-inning second game against the host Bobcats (4-5).

In game one, Richard Bland had 10 runs on 12 hits … scoring two runs in the first inning, two runs in the third, two runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth.  The Statesmen took leads of 2-0, 4-0, 6-0 and 10-1 toward the run-rule victory.

Simms led Richard Bland, going 3-4 with a two-run home run in the third, three runs, three RBIs and one stolen base, while sophomore Kay'Lee Justice/Suffolk was 2-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs.  Classmate Kara Morris/Kents Store was 2-3 with two runs, one RBI and one stolen base, Brooklynn Bilyard was 2-5 with a triple, one run and two stolen bases, while freshman Kayla Hand/Chesapeake was 1-1 with a double and two RBIs.

Brooklynn Bilyard (2-1) started in the circle and pitched 6.0 innings, scattering five hits and two runs, one earned, with the career-high 13 strikeouts and six walks.

In game two, Richard Bland had 17 runs on 16 hits … scoring one run in the first inning, four runs in the second, three runs in the third, seven runs in the fourth and two runs in the fifth.  The Statesmen took leads of 1-0, 5-0, 8-0, 15-0 and 17-1 toward the run-rule victory. 

Taylor Bilyard led Richard Bland, going 3-5 with a double, one run and four RBIs, while Brooklynn Bilyard was 3-4 with two runs, two RBIs and two stolen bases.  Sophomore Ashley Fritz/Chesterfield was 1-3 with one double, one run, one walk and three RBIs, freshman Skyler Bagnall/Ivor was 2-2 with four runs, two walks and two RBIs, Justice was 1-4 with a sacrifice fly and two RBIs and freshman Jez Chitty/Stafford was 2-3 with two runs, one walk and one RBI.

Vincent (1-1) started in the circle and pitched the 5.0 innings for her first collegiate win, yielding just two hits and one run, earned, with four strikeouts and no walks.

Richard Bland returns home for another non-region doubleheader against NJCAA Division III Lehigh Carbon (Pa.) on Monday, March 5, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Statesman Softball Field.