March 20, 2010

RedStorm softball splits at Georgetown

Georgetown, Ky. --- For the second straight day, the University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball team split a doubleheader versus Georgetown College. Rio won the first game on Saturday afternoon, 5-2 and lost game two, 3-2.

Rio Grande (11-7, 6-2 MSC) won the game one pitcher's duel with six hits. The RedStorm scored a run in the first inning; three in the third and one more in the fifth while Georgetown College (8-14, 2-4 MSC) scored two runs in the sixth. 

Sophomore hurler Anna Smith (Ross, OH) bounced back from a personal two-game losing skid with a complete game three-hitter. Smith (7-5) allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out five batters.

Smith also helped her own cause by hitting a three-run home run in the third inning. Senior catcher Kaylyn Heading (Hilliard, OH) was 2-for-2 with a run scored. Freshman third baseman Jaymie Rector (Heath, OH) was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Junior shortstop Amber Bowman (Hebron, OH) was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored and sophomore first baseman Chelsie Brooks (N. Lewisburg, OH) was 1-for-3.

In game two, Rio's defense faltered late and it cost them. Leading 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lady Tigers pushed across two runs to win the game. Anna Smith absorbed the loss as she committed a key error in the sixth, which led to the go-ahead runs for Georgetown.

Rio mustered only three hits in the second game. Senior leftfielder Leah Hamman (Lexington, OH) led off the game with a home run for the RedStorm. She was 1-for-2 at the plate. Bowman was 1-for-2 and knocked in the other Rio run in the third inning, which gave the RedStorm a 2-1 lead. Heading produced the only other hit of the game for Rio Grande. 

Sophomore Allison Mills (West Chester, OH) started the game for Rio Grande and lasted 4 1/3 innings. She gave up four hits and one run with two walks and two strikeouts. Smith's line read 1 2/3 innings with one hit, two runs (one earned) with one strikeout and one walk. 

Rio Grande will step out of conference on Sunday afternoon when it plays host to Marietta College. Game one is set to get underway at 1 p.m. at Stanley Evans Field. Stretch Internet will have play-by-play coverage beginning at 12:55 p.m.