March 21, 2010

RedStorm softball splits with Marietta

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball team split a doubleheader for the fourth consecutive day, losing game one to Marietta College by a 3-0 score and rebounding for a 7-2 victory in game two on Sunday afternoon at Stanley Evans Field. 

Rio Grande (12-8) hit into some tough luck in the first game with numerous well hit balls finding their way into Marietta College gloves. Rio had eight hits in the first game but just couldn't collect that key hit to dent the plate.

Sophomore first baseman Chelsie Brooks (North Lewisburg, OH) had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3. Freshman third baseman Jaymie Rector (Heath, OH) went 2-for-4 while junior Amber Bowman (Hebron, OH) was 1-for-4 with a double. Sophomore pitcher Anna Smith and sophomore rightfielder Marissa Lennox (Gahanna, OH) had one hit each. 

Smith (7-6) pitched well for the RedStorm despite the loss. She went the distance, allowing seven hits and three runs with four strikeouts and one walk. 

Amanda Strong fired an eight-hit shutout for the Pioneers (8-4). She struck out one and walked a batter.

In game two, Rio Grande scored in every inning but the sixth. The top of the order did the bulk of the damage for Rio Grande as senior centerfielder Leah Hamman (Lexington, OH) was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI's. Rector was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base and Bowman was 2-for-3 with a triple, a double and two RBI's. 

Freshman leftfielder Kaitie Stewart (Pleasant Hill, OH) added an RBI hit and sophomore hurler Allison Mills (West Chester, OH) helped her cause at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. 

Mills (5-2) was outstanding in the pitcher's circle as she went the distance and allowed only two unearned runs and three hits. She fanned eight and walked two. 

"We'd liked to have taken a few hits that fell in the second game and converted those to the first game," said Rio Grande head coach David Pyles. "You've got to give Marietta credit, they made the plays, I mean really I thought we hit some balls hard and down and they had a shortstop (Michelle Sayre) that looked good all day."

"The first game we just couldn't seem to get a break, but the girls bounced back in the second game very nicely and got the victory with a lot of hits, a lot of people contributed which is always good to see," Pyles added.

Pyles also complimented Mills on her pitching of late. "Allison's been throwing well, I mean she threw well at Georgetown and again today and she's got some people really baffled right now," he said. "We need that, we need both pitchers to be strong and she looked very good."

Rio Grande will step back into Mid-South Conference play on Friday versus Campbellsville in the first two games of a four-game set. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m. Stretch Internet will provide play-by-play coverage beginning at 1:55 p.m.