April 2, 2010

RedStorm softball swept by Lindsey Wilson

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball team lost both ends of a doubleheader to visiting Lindsey Wilson College on Friday afternoon at Stanley Evans Field. Game one was a pitcher's duel with LWC edging Rio 1-0. The Blue Raiders cruised to an 11-0 win in game two.

Rio Grande (15-13, 7-7 MSC) had only two hits in the first game. The RedStorm had a difficult time solving Lindsey Wilson pitcher Anyibel Ramirez. She carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning when freshman third baseman Jaymie Rector (Heath, OH) reached base on a bunt single. Freshman leftfielder Kaitie Stewart (Pleasant Hill, OH) recorded the other Rio hit.

Rio sophomore hurler Anna Smith (Ross, OH) deserved a better fate. Smith (9-9) allowed only two hits to the Blue Raiders. She walked two and struck out four. LWC (27-8, 13-3 MSC) received a sacrifice fly from Jamie Williams in the second inning and made it stand up

Ramirez (11-3) struck out 11 batters and walked two in seven innings. 

Lindsey scored a run in the first inning in the second game and that would be all it would need to win the game as the offensive travails continue for the Rio team. 

The Blue Raiders would later add single runs in the third and fourth innings to push the lead to 3-0 and then proceeded to blow the game open with four runs in the fifth and four more in the seventh inning. 

Rio was held to three hits in the second game. Freshman designated hitter Mackenzie Rucker (Proctorville, OH) and freshman centerfielder Jessica Gall (Mount Vernon, OH) were both 1-for-2 and sophomore pitcher Allison Mills (West Chester, OH) was 1-for-3.

Mills (6-4) absorbed the loss for the RedStorm. She went the distance, allowing 11 runs and 14 hits while walking two. 

Morgan Paschal (15-4) went six innings to get the win for Lindsey Wilson. She allowed all three hits and struck out four without walking a batter. She had three hits and three RBI's at the plate. 

"We've scored three runs in four ball games and you don't win very many games that way," said Rio Grande head coach David Pyles. "Fortunately we got two from Charleston (on Tuesday) simply because we played good defense and got good pitching."

"When you get against a team that's going to hit and you're not, obviously we saw what the results were today," Pyles added. 

Rio Grande will face off with Lindsey Wilson on Saturday at 12 Noon. Stretch Internet will have play-by-play coverage beginning at 11:55 a.m.