Softball Drops Non-Conference Games Against Hurricanes and Cardinals

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Softball team traveled to Louisburg College Saturday afternoon, and hosted CCBC Catonsville Tuesday afternoon for non-conference doubleheaders. After completion of the games, the Statesmen moved to 4-7 overall after dropping all four games.

In game one on Saturday, Richard Bland struggled to contain the Hurricanes in a 0-8, five-inning loss. Louisburg got on the board right out of the gate, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning, on a walk and a double. The Hurricanes added one run in the second, one run in the third, and three more in the fourth to hang on for the victory. Taylor Green started the game for the Statesmen. The righty went four innings, surrendering eight hits and eight runs, while striking out four, and walking five. McKynzie Dawson had the lone hit in the game for the Statesmen, going 1-for-2 at the plate.

In game two on Saturday, Richard Bland fought hard, but it was not enough as they fell 4-9 in the nightcap. The Hurricanes pushed one run across in each of the first four innings. Richard Bland did not go down without a fight as the Statesmen scored two in the top of the third when Beamon homered, and one in the fourth as Taylor Green hit a groundball and reached on an error, allowing Taylor Full to score, to trail 3-4 through four complete innings. Richard Bland added one more run in the top of the fifth on a second Beamon home run to center field to tie the game, 4-4. The Hurricanes pushed three runs across in the fifth and two in the sixth to hang on for a 4-9 victory over the Statesmen. Ava Balli went six innings on the mound, surrendering 10 hits and nine runs, while striking out four and walking none.

In game one on Tuesday, Richard Bland couldn't keep up with the Cardinals and fell, 2-10. A double following a 7-pitch at-bat put the Cardinals on the board first in the top of the second inning. McKynzi Dawson then singled to center field, which helped Richard Bland tie the game at one in the bottom of the second. Richard Bland took the lead in the bottom of the third. A steal of home scored one run, to give the Statesmen the upper hand, 2-1. The Cardinals captured the lead, 2-3 in the top of the fifth scoring on a passed ball and a single to center field which scored one run. The Cardinals scored five runs on five hits in the top of the seventh inning. Dawson went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in. Sydney Thompson led the Statesmen in hits with two in three at bats. Taylor Green opened the game for Richard Bland. The righty surrendered eight hits and six runs over six innings, striking out eight and walking three.

In game two on Tuesday, both teams were strong in the circle. Ava Balli started the game for Richard Bland and recorded 21 outs. Richard Bland lost despite out-hitting the Cardinals five to two. The Cardinals got on the board in the top of the fourth inning after a double to center field, and a single to right field, each scoring one run. Balli took the loss for the Statesmen. The hurler went seven innings, surrendering two runs on two hits, striking out nine and walking three.

The Richard Bland College Softball team next hosts Pitt Community College on Friday, March 7^th in a 2pm conference doubleheader.