Dolphins Take Three from Statesmen in Softball Series

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Softball team traveled to Brunswick Community College over the weekend for the three-game conference series with the Dolphins. After completion of the series, the Statesmen moved to 13-14 overall, and 8-6 in conference play after falling to the Dolphins 6-12, 7-10, and 6-8.

In game one, Richard Bland couldn't keep up with Brunswick as they fell 6-12. The Dolphins opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning thanks to two doubles. A Dolphins home run in the bottom of the third, extended the lead to three. Richard Bland tied the game in the top of the fourth thanks to a ground out by Sydney Thompson, and a solo home run to center field by Samantha Barbe. The Dolphins took the lead in the bottom of the inning on a double, 3-5. The Statesmen tied the game in the top of the fifth thanks to a double by Patricia Lett, and a single by Thompson. A grand slam to left field, gave the Dolphins a 5-9 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Lett and Barbe each collected two hits for Richard Bland. Ava Balli stepped in the circle first for the Statesmen. The hurler allowed eight hits and five runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out five and walking three.

In game two, Richard Bland could not hold onto the lead against the Dolphins, and fell 7-10 despite leading by four at one point. Richard Bland was the first to get on the board in the first inning when Claudia Minetree homered to left field, scoring three runs. A sacrifice fly by Ashley Beamon extended the Statesmen lead to 4-0 in the top of the second inning. The Dolphins tied the game in the bottom of the third thanks to a single, and two doubles. A single by Ava Balli gave Richard Bland the lead, 5-4 in the top of the fourth. The Dolphins took the lead in the bottom of the fourth after the Statesmen committed an error, a ground out, a triple, and a single each scored one run. The Statesmen scored two runs in the top of the seventh on a home run to center field by Patricia Lett on a full count. Minetree drove the middle of the lineup, leading Richard Bland with three runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 2-for-4 in the game. Minetree and Taylor Green each collected two hits for the Statesmen, and Beamon stole two bases. Grace Urban took the loss for Richard Bland. The starting pitcher went four innings, giving up eight runs on five hits, striking out four and walking one.

In game three, Richard Bland got on the board in the first inning after Patricia Lett hit a solo home run to center field. Brunswick answered in the bottom of the inning after a triple and an error scored one run each. The Statesmen took the lead, 5-2 in the top of the second thanks to singles by Ashley Beamon, McKynzi Dawson, and Lett. Brunswick scored one run in the bottom of the third, closing in on the Statesmen lead. Brunswick made the score 6-7 in the bottom of the fifth after a ground out, and a home run, scoring four runs in the inning. Dawson opened the game for Richard Bland. The righty surrendered six hits and six runs over four and one-third innings, striking out one and walking three. Ava Balli took the loss. The reliever went one and two-thirds innings, surrendering two runs on two hits, striking out two and walking two.

The Richard Bland College Softball team next hosts Southeastern Community College-Whiteville on Friday, April 4^th and Saturday, April 5^th for the three-game conference series. Games one and two will take place in a 1pm doubleheader. Game three will take place on Saturday at 11am.