Richard Bland Sweeps Visiting Patrick Henry 7-2, 11-5

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Sophomore Kamryn Lanier/Chester had two doubles and two RBIs in the first game, and classmate Ashley Fritz/Chesterfield hit two home runs, while sophomore Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper and freshman Allison Jarrett/Virginia Beach each added one home run in the second game, as Richard Bland swept a Region 10 softball doubleheader against Patrick Henry on Saturday at the Statesman Softball Field.  Brooklynn Bilyard earned the pitching victory in the 7-2 opener for the host Statesmen (24-13, 13-9 Region 10), and freshman Joana Holland/Manassas gained the pitching triumph in the 11-5 nightcap against the visiting Patriots (13-25, 3-17 Region 10) on Sophomore Day.

In game one, Richard Bland scored seven runs on eight hits … with two runs in the second inning, four runs in the third and one run in the fifth inning.  The Statesmen led 6-1 through three innings toward the final five-run margin.

Lanier was 2-3 with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs, while freshman Katie Haney/Burkeville was 2-2 with two runs and a stolen base.  Brooklynn Bilyard was 1-2 with a sacrifice fly and one RBI, and sophomore Kara Morris/Kents Store was 0-2 with a sacrifice fly and one RBI.

Brooklynn Bilyard (8-4) started in the circle and pitched the complete-game 7.0 innings, scattering seven hits and two runs, both unearned, with five strikeouts and five walks.

In game two, Richard Bland scored 11 runs on 16 hits, including four home runs, one triple and five doubles … with one run each in the first and second innings, seven runs in the third and one run each again in the fourth and sixth innings toward the final six-run margin.

Fritz was 4-4 with the two home runs, a triple, four runs and two RBIs.  Brooklynn Bilyard was 2-4 with a home run, one run and three RBIs, and Jarrett was 1-4 with a home run, one run and one RBI.  Fritz hit her first homer, a solo shot to right field, in the second inning, before adding another solo blast in the third inning as Richard Bland hit three-straight home runs with Bilyard opening with a three-run shot to center field followed by Jarrett's solo homer to right center … Jarrett's and Fritz's home runs were nearly hit to the same spot, back-to-back.  Freshman Taylor Bilyard/Culpeper was 3-3 with three doubles, one run and two RBIs, Haney was 3-4 with a double, two runs, one RBI and a stolen base, and Lanier was 2-4 with a double, one run and one RBI.

Holland (6-2) started in the circle and pitched the first 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits and five runs, three earned, with one strikeout and five walks.  Freshman Megan Vincent/Boykins recorded the final two outs, though hitting a batter before inducing a game-ending double-play ground ball to third base.

A special ceremony took place prior to game one on Saturday in recognition of Brooklynn Bilyard, Ashley Fritz, Kay'Lee Justice/Suffolk, Kamryn Lanier and Kara Morris.

Richard Bland will complete its regular season with a Region 10 doubleheader on the road at Surry (N.C.) on Sunday, April 29, at 2 p.m. in Dobson, North Carolina.  The Statesmen will compete in the post-season Region 10 Tournament May 4-5 in Burlington, North Carolina.