March 18, 2010

RedStorm splits with No. 14 Madonna

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball team faced a tough challenge on Thursday afternoon at Stanley Evans Field when they played host to NAIA No. 14 Madonna. Madonna came away with a 2-1 win in extra innings in game one. Rio responded with a 2-1 walk off victory in the second game.

Game one was a pitcher's duel with both hurlers making key pitches when they had to, to stave off threats.

Rio's Anna Smith (Ross, OH) deserved a better fate as she took the loss. Smith (6-3) scattered seven hits in eight innings while allowing only one earned run. She struck two and walked one.

Madonna's Jessica Irwin (6-0) struggled with her control, despite carrying a no-hitter into fifth inning. She fanned 12 batters in the game, but walked nine. She was not hurt by all the free passes as Rio stranded 12 runners on base.

The top of the order for Rio Grande produced four of the five hits in the game as both senior centerfielder Leah Hamman (Lexington, OH) and freshman third baseman Jaymie Rector (Heath, OH) went 2-for-4 at the plate. Hamman scored the lone run and had a stolen base.

Smith recorded the other Rio hit, which tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth.

Brittney Scero went 2-for-4 to lead the Crusaders. She scored a run and knocked in the first run of the game in the top of the fifth. Amber Shay had two hits with a double and drove home the game winner in the top of the eighth.

Game two was almost a carbon copy of the first contest as Rio's Allison Mills (West Chester, OH) and Madonna's Hallie Minch bettered what the two pitchers in game one had done. 

Madonna went up 1-0 in the second inning on an RBI double from Erica Landess. Rio answered with a single run in the fifth to tie the game at 1-1. Hamman scored after Madonna second sacker Brittany Scero dropped a pop up.

Hamman would win the game in exciting fashion when she hit a home run over the left centerfield fence with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.   Hamman was 2-for-4 in the game and scored both Rio runs. 

It was the first loss of the season for the Crusaders (10-1). 

Mills (3-2) was masterful as she went the distance, allowing only four hits. She struck out six batters and walked only two.

Minch (4-1) allowed four hits and one earned run in 6 2/3 innings. She had 10 strikeouts. 

"Fortunately we get the walk-off from Leah because our offense was a little dead today," said Rio Grande head coach David Pyles. "I don't know, I guess you have those days, we're glad to get a win against the No. 14 team in the nation and to win it the way we did there in the second game was dramatic and a very exciting game."

Pyles is hoping this will be a confidence booster for his team, who is struggling offensively at present. "We're not hitting, there are no ifs ands and buts about it and that's why we're staying after to practice right now," he said.

Rio Grande will get back into Mid-South Conference play on Friday and Saturday at Georgetown College. Friday's doubleheader will begin at 3 p.m.