Richard Bland Sweeps On Road At Surry (N.C.) 8-0 (6), 12-10

DOBSON, N.C. -- Sophomores Brooklynn Bilyard/Culpeper and Ashley Fritz/Chesterfield each hit home runs in the first game, while Fritz along with freshmen Mary Simms/Orange, Katie Haney/Burkeville and Taylor Bilyard/Culpeper each hit home runs in the second game, as Richard Bland completed its regular season with a Region 10 softball doubleheader sweep at Surry (N.C.) on Sunday in Dobson, North Carolina.  Freshman Megan Vincent/Boykins earned the shutout pitching victory in the six-inning, 8-0 opener for the visiting Statesmen (26-13, 15-9 Region 10), and freshman Joana Holland/Manassas gained the pitching triumph in relief in the 12-10 nightcap against the host Knights (16-30, 7-15 Region 10).

In game one, Richard Bland scored eight runs on 10 hits … with one run in the third inning, three runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth inning toward the shortened run-rule win.

Brooklynn Bilyard was 3-4 with the home run, two runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases, and Fritz was 1-2 with the home run, one run, one RBI and was hit by a pitch.  Freshman Skyler Bagnall/Ivor was 2-4 with a double, two runs and one RBI, Haney was 2-4 with a double, one run and two stolen bases, and freshman Allison Jarrett/Virginia Beach was 1-3 with a double and one RBI.

Vincent (9-5) started in the circle and pitched the complete-game 6.0 inning shutout, scattering seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

In game two, Richard Bland scored 12 runs on 12 hits, including the four home runs … with two runs in the first inning, three runs in the fourth, two runs in the fifth, three runs in the sixth and two runs in the seventh inning toward the final two-run margin.

Simms was 2-4 with the home run, one run and four RBIs, Fritz was 2-3 with another home run -- her fourth homer in two days, two runs, two RBIs and was hit by a pitch, Haney was 3-4 with the home run, two doubles, three runs and one RBI and Taylor Bilyard was 1-4 with the home run, one run and one RBI.  Bagnall was 2-5 with a triple and three RBIs, and sophomore Kamryn Lanier/Chester was 1-3 with a double and one RBI.

Freshman Kayla Shaffer/Richmond started in the circle and pitched the first 2.2 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs, all earned, with two strikeouts and no walks.  Holland (7-2) tossed the final 4.1 innings, yielding nine hits and seven runs, four earned, with four strikeouts and one walk.

Richard Bland will compete in the post-season Region 10 Tournament May 4-5 in Burlington, North Carolina.  Complete tournament seeding and game information will be posted early this week.