March 7, 2010

RedStorm sweep OSU-Newark in softball opener

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball team was finally able to begin the 2010 season on Sunday afternoon at Stanley Evans Field. Rio Grande swept the doubleheader versus Ohio State-Newark, winning the first game 8-0 in run-rule fashion and taking game two in comeback fashion, 11-3 in five innings. 

Rio Grande sophomore hurler Anna Smith (Ross, OH) came within one out of throwing her third career no-hitter in the first game. Jess Spain of OSU-Newark singled with two-outs in the fifth inning to end the no-hit bid. Smith (1-0) fanned six and hit one batter in five full innings of pitching.

Junior shortstop Amber Bowman (Hebron, OH) was the offensive star for the RedStorm, going 2-for-2 with a triple, two RBI's and three runs scored. Senior catcher Kaylyn Heading (Hilliard, OH) was 1-for-3 with two RBI's. Sophomore first baseman Chelsie Brooks (N.Lewisburg, OH) was 1-for-2 with a run-scoring double and senior centerfielder Leah Hamman (Lexington, OH) was 0-for-1, but scored two runs and wreaked havoc on the bases with three steals. Rio collected five hits in the first game triumph. 

Bailey Marcum (0-1) took the loss for the Titans. She allowed five hits and eight runs (six earned) in four innings while collecting four strikeouts and walking seven batters.

In game two, Rio Grande (2-0) jumped out to a 2-0 lead by scoring two unearned runs in the second inning. OSU-Newark (0-2) responded with three runs in the top of third off sophomore hurler Allison Mills (West Chester, OH). Spain, who went 2-for-3 for the Titans, clubbed a solo home run to get OSU-N on the board. After a single, Marcum took Mills deep for a two-run shot and OSU-Newark was out in front, 3-2. 

The RedStorm rallied with nine runs in the fourth inning as they collected some key hits, coupled with numerous miscues from the Titan defense. OSU-Newark committed five errors in the game and had four wild pitches and three passed balls, all of which aided Rio Grande in a big way.

Freshman leftfielder Kaitie Stewart (Pleasant Hill, OH) started Rio Grande on the road back with a game-tying solo home run to start the fourth inning. She would later double in a second run in the inning and score for the second time in the inning as well. Stewart was 2-for-3 with two RBI's and two runs scored in the game. 

Sophomore Nicole Sargent (Pataskala, OH) delivered a big two-run pinch single in the nine-run fourth. Bowman was 1-for-2 with a run-scoring hit and freshman designated hitter Mackenzie Rucker (Proctorville, OH) went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Rio had seven hits in game two.

Mills (1-0), despite having the rough third inning, completed the game to pick her up first win of the season. She allowed six hits and one walk while striking out three batters in five innings of pitching. 

Brianna Kelly (0-1) took the loss for the Titans. She lasted 3 2/3 innings, yielding six hits and 10 runs (three earned) with four strikeouts and six walks. 

"Two wins are always nice," Rio Grande head coach David Pyles said. "I think we came out in the second game a little overconfident after taking care of business in the first game. Anna threw a really good game and their shortstop (Spain) really crushed the ball."

"Overall, we had good play, in the second game, Kaitie Stewart came through big time, I think that home run kind of sparked us a little bit and got us up out of the doldrums so to speak," Pyles added. "She had another nice double later on in the game and then Nicole Sargent came in off the bench and had a big hit when the game was close and scored two runs, so that's always good to see."

"Overall I was well-pleased," Pyles said.

Rio Grande will jump right into Mid-South Conference play on Tuesday (March 9) with a road doubleheader at West Virginia Tech. Game one is set to get underway at 4 p.m.