Softball Sweeps Dragons in Non-Conference Series

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Softball team hosted Howard Community College Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, for a non-conference three-game series. After completion of the series, the Statesmen moved to 4-3 overall after taking down the Dragons 15-4, 7-2, and 9-8.

In game one, Arianna Manson drove in six runs on three hits to lead Richard Bland past Howard Community College 15-4 Sunday. Manson singled in the first scoring two, singled in the third scoring two, and singled in the fourth scoring two. Richard Bland got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Claudia Minetree was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Manson singled scoring two runs, Samantha Barbe drew a walk, scoring one run, Ashley Beamon drew a walk, scoring one run, and Ava Balli singled, scoring two runs. A tag up by Beamon, and a single by Manson helped the Statesmen extend their early lead in the third. Richard Bland scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Taylor Green earned the win for Richard Bland. The starting pitcher gave up nine hits and four runs over five innings, striking out three and walking two.

In game two, Richard Bland bested the Dragons 7-2. An error put the Dragons on the board in the top of the first inning. Another error extended the Dragons' lead to 0-2 in the top of the third. Richard Bland flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs on five hits to take the lead 5-2. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by McKynzi Dawson that drove in two. Arianna Manson and Dawson each drove in two runs for the Statesmen. Balli went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Statesmen. Balli earned the win for Richard Bland. The righty allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out five and walking two.

In game three, it came down to the wire as the Statesmen grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 9-8. The game was tied at eight in the bottom of the seventh when Ava Balli drew a walk, scoring one run. Richard Bland came back to win despite trailing 0-4 in the first. Richard Bland flipped the momentum in the bottom of the second, scoring five runs on five hits to take the lead, 5-4. Howard captured the lead, 5-8, in the top of the third on a double and two singles, scoring four runs. Richard Bland jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning after Ashley Beamon was struck by a pitch, and Balli walked, each scoring one run. Grace Urban earned the win for the Statesmen. The right-handed pitcher gave up one hit and zero runs over five innings, striking out eight and walking three. Dawson led things off in the circle. The righty gave up seven hits and eight runs over two innings, striking out four and walking three. Richard Bland collected 13 hits in the game, with Holland, Minetree, Green, and Dawson each having two.

The Richard Bland College Softball team next travels to Louisburg College on Saturday, March 1^st for a nonconference doubleheader with the Hurricanes. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1pm.