Softball Splits Doubleheader Against Southeastern-Whiteville

WHITEVILLE, NC – The Richard Bland College of William & Mary softball team split its doubleheader against Southeastern-Whiteville Community College on Thursday afternoon. The Statesmen came from behind to win the opener 10-7, but fell behind early in falling 11-2 (five innings) in the nightcap.

The Statesmen are now 1-8 on the season, while Southeastern-Whiteville improves to 2-6. RBC continues its road trip over the weekend, next facing USC Salkehatchie in doubleheader action on Saturday and Sunday. Southeastern-Whiteville travels to USC Salkehatchie on Friday for two games.

FIRST GAME
Despite allowing four runs in the third inning, RBC came from behind to notch the 10-7 victory
Both pitching staffs had their hands full, frequently dealing with runners on base. RBC banged out a season-high 18 hits while Southeastern-Whiteville had eight.

Southeastern-Whiteville got on the board in the second inning. RBC pitcher Joana Holland threw a wild pitch allowing one run to score. However, the Statesmen took the lead for good with four runs in the fourth inning. In the fourth, Allison Jarrett singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. Kayla Hand was hit by a pitch, driving in a run, and then Taylor Bilyard singled on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs.

The Statesmen notched five runs in the third inning. The offensive firepower was led by Skyler Bagnall, Mary Simms, Jarrett, and Bilyard, who all drove in runs. Kiara Toler was the winning pitcher for RBC, tossing five innings in relief of Holland (four hits, five runs in three innings), allowing four hits and two runs. Santana Best took the loss for Southeastern Community College. She allowed 18 hits and ten runs over seven innings, striking out one.

For the Statesmen, Bagnall, Katie Haney, Bilyard, Jarrett, Simms, Madison Kelly, and Jez Chitty all had multiple hits. Haney and Bagnall had three hits each.

SECOND GAME
Despite outhitting the hosts 8-7, the Statesmen fell behind 11-2 after the second inning and couldn't recover, splitting the twin bill.

Southeastern-Whiteville opened the scoring with six runs in the first inning and five more in the second. The Rams broke the game open in the first, scoring on an error, a double by Kaitlyn Hunt, a walk to Madison Strickland and a double by Haley Starvis.

Alexis Suggs earned the win for Southeastern, allowing two runs on eight hits over five innings, striking out one. Megan Vincent took the defeat for RBC, allowing two hits and six runs over two-thirds of an inning while striking out one. Toler and Holland had relief appearances throwing two and a third innings and one inning respectively.

RBC had eight hits in the game. Jarrett and Chitty each had two. Sarvis had two hits and four RBI for Southeastern-Whiteville.