April 10, 2010

RedStorm bounce back with sweep of Cumberlands

Williamsburg, KY --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball team turned the tables on the University of the Cumberlands on Saturday afternoon gaining a doubleheader sweep to split the four-game series at two games apiece. Rio won the first game 4-2 and captured the second game by a 7-3 score. 

Rio Grande (20-18, 11-11 MSC) pulled into a tie for fourth place in the Mid-South Conference with the Patriots with the two victories on Saturday. 

Rio sophomore pitcher Anna Smith (Ross, OH) went the distance in game one for the victory. Smith (11-14) allowed six hits and two runs in seven innings while striking out nine and walking three. She had a big day at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI's. 

Senior centerfielder Leah Hamman (Lexington, OH) was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base and freshman leftfielder Kaitie Stewart (Pleasant Hill, OH) was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Junior shortstop Amber Bowman (Hebron, OH) was 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored. 

Rio scored two runs in the top of the seventh to win the game.

The RedStorm rallied late to win the second game, scoring one run in the fourth to tie the score at 2-2 and adding two runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

Hamman was the top offensive performer for Rio Grande in the second game. She went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI's. Freshman Jessica Gall (Mount Vernon, OH) was 1-for-1 with two RBI's and sophomore rightfielder Marissa Lennox (Gahanna, OH) was 0-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.

Freshman third baseman Jaymie Rector (Heath, OH) went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a stolen base and Bowman went 1-for-3.

Sophomore hurler Allison Mills (West Chester, OH) picked up her ninth win of the season in the route going performance. Mills (9-4) allowed eight hits and three runs in seven innings with five strikeouts and five walks. 

Cumberlands falls to 16-16 overall and 11-11 in MSC play. 

Rio Grande returns home Sunday for a non-conference double dip with arch-rival Shawnee State. Game one is set to get underway at 1 p.m. Stretch Internet will have play-by-play coverage beginning at 12:55 p.m.