Softball Splits with Bobcats, Goes 2-1 Against Dolphins

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Softball team traveled to Bryant & Stratton College (VA) Thursday afternoon, and hosted the Dolphins of Brunswick Community College for their second, three-game conference series of the season. After completion of the games, the Statesmen moved to 25-18 overall, and 14-10 in conference play after splitting Thursday afternoon with the Bobcats, and taking the series, 2-1 from the Dolphins.

In game one against the Bobcats, even though Taylor Green struck out 11 batters, Richard Bland still fell 3-4 to the Bobcats. Green surrendered six hits and four runs over five and one-third innings while walking one. Richard Bland was right in it until a Bobcat batter was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning. Richard Bland got on the board in the first inning after an error scored one run. Richard Bland added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Arianna Manson doubled down the left field line, and Green lined out, each scoring one run. Patricia Lett went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Statesmen. McKynzi Dawson led with three walks.

In game two against the Bobcats, the Statesmen rebounded with a big, six-inning, 14-1 win. Ashley Beamon collected three hits in five at bats for the Statesmen. Beamon hit a solo home run to center field in the first inning, doubled in the third inning, and doubled in the sixth. Beamon's opening home run, put the Statesmen on the board first, and they never looked back. In the top of the third inning, McKynzi Dawson grounded out, and Arianna Manson singled to the left side, each scoring one run. The Statesmen scored seven runs on six hits in the top of the sixth inning. Two errors scored one run each, Patricia Lett singled scoring two runs, Taylor Green singled scoring one run, Samantha Barbe singled scoring one run, and Claudia Minetree singled, scoring one run. Grace Urban earned the win for Richard Bland. The starter gave up one hit and one run over six innings, striking out nine and walking four. Richard Bland amassed 17 hits in the game. Leadoff hitter Minetree led with four hits in five at bats.

In game one against the Dolphins, Richard Bland could not find their grove, as they fell 2-4 Friday afternoon. A double put the Dolphins on the board in the top of the first. The Dolphins scored one run in the sixth, and two in the seventh to take the lead. Claudia Minetree went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in. Samantha Barbe led in hits with two, in three at bats. Grace Urban took the loss for Richard Bland. The right-handed pitcher went seven innings, giving up four runs on eight hits, striking out nine and walking one.

In game two against the Dolphins, Richard Bland rallied big to best the Dolphins 12-4 Saturday afternoon. The bottom of the lineup was strong for Richard Bland. Brayanna Holland, Samantha Barbe, and Ava Balli combined for five of the team's nine hits in their victory. The Dolphins opened the scoring in the top of the second on two doubles. Richard Bland captured the lead, 5-4 in the bottom of the fourth after Claudia Minetree laid down a sacrifice bunt, and McKynzi Dawson grounded out, each scoring one run. Holland led the Statesmen at the plate with three hits in four at bats. Ava Baloo earned the win for Richard Bland. The hurler surrendered two hits and zero runs over four and one-third innings, striking out three and walking none. Taylor Green opened the game for the Statesmen. The starter gave up four hits and four runs over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking none.

In game three against the Dolphins, Richard Bland walked it off in a nail biter. It came down to the wire in the nightcap Saturday, as Richard Bland grabbed the win in walk-off fashion. The game was tied at two in the bottom of the seventh when Dawson singled, scoring one run. The Statesmen were on the board first, in the second inning after Holland singled, scoring one run. Holland led Richard Bland with two runs batted in from the number eight spot in the lineup, going 2-for-3 at the plate, and stole three bases. Ava Balli earned the win for the Statesmen. The starter allowed two hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out three and walking two.

The Richard Bland College Softball team next travels to Wake Technical Community College on Wednesday, April 23^rd for a 1pm, non-conference doubleheader.