April 11, 2010

RedStorm softball sweeps arch-rival

Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball team won a pair of games from arch-rival Shawnee State on Sunday afternoon at Stanley Evans Field. Rio edged SSU in game one of the twinbill, 4-3 and won the second game, 6-5. Rio built leads in both games and then had to hang on for the win.

Rio Grande (22-18) has won four in a row and six of the last eight. 

After trailing 1-0 in the second inning of game one, the RedStorm scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good. Sophomore first baseman Chelsie Brooks (North Lewisburg, OH) ripped a two-run single to give Rio the 3-1 advantage.  Senior catcher Kaylyn Heading (Hilliard, OH) put the RedStorm up 4-1 when she successfully squeezed home a run.

Rio added a run in the fifth to go up 4-1 and then held on as Shawnee State scored two in the top of the seventh to close the gap to 4-3.  Sam Attinger and Brooke Baker notched RBI hits for the Lady Bears (17-16). 

Freshman leftfielder Kaitie Stewart (Pleasant Hill, OH) went 2-for-3 and scored a run to lead the Rio offense.   Freshman third baseman Jaymie Rector (Heath, OH) was 2-for-2 with a run scored. Senior centerfielder Leah Hamman (Lexington, OH) went 1-for-3 at the plate. 

Rio sophomore Anna Smith (Ross, OH) went the distance to collect her 12^th victory of the season. Smith (12-14) allowed seven hits and three runs (two earned) while posting seven strikeouts and four walks. 

Katie Daniel absorbed the loss for Shawnee State. She scattered six hits in six innings while allowing four runs (one earned) with four strikeouts and no walks. 

Baker, Daniel and Ericka Leighty all tallied two hits each for Shawnee State. 

Game two took on a very similar tone with Rio Grande building a lead and then walking the tightrope in the seventh inning to hold on for the win.

Rio Grande jumped out to a 6-0 lead before Shawnee State began the long road back. The RedStorm scored a run in the first on a single from Stewart. She would go 3-for-3 in the game with a pair of doubles and one RBI.

Rio added three runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run double from freshman second baseman Katie Fuller (Hamilton, OH). 

Smith crushed a two-run home run in the fifth inning to push the lead to 6-0. 

Shawnee scored a run in the sixth and plated four runs in the seventh, and had the go-ahead run at the plate when the final out was recorded. 

Rio tallied 11 hits in game two. Hamman and junior shortstop Amber Bowman (Hebron, OH) were both 2-for-4 in the game. Sophomore Allison Mills (West Chester, OH) was 1-for-3 and Rector was 1-for-2. 

Abbey Barrett paced the SSU attack, going 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI. She also scored two runs. 

Mills (10-4) went the distance for Rio Grande. She allowed six hits and five runs (one earned) while striking out three and walking four in gaining the victory.

Ali Thompson took the loss for Shawnee State. She allowed 11 hits and six runs (five earned) in six innings, posting one strikeout and two walks. 

"We got good pitching, two good games on the mound and then our offense is really starting to come around again," said Rio Grande head coach David Pyles. "It feels good to get our offensive game going."

Pyles feels like he may have finally hit on a line-up that is starting to click. "We've toyed around with our line-up and we're starting to hit on one that is starting to produce some runs," Pyles said. "Hopefully we can continue on toward the end of the season and get on a good role and head into tournament time hot."

Rio Grande honored its two seniors, Leah Hamman and Kaylyn Heading, in a ceremony held in between games. Pyles talked about his two seniors. "I want to thank these two young ladies for all their hard work and dedication in making themselves into better players and teammates," he said. "They will be sorely missed as they have had outstanding careers here at Rio."

"I would like to wish them the very best in all their future endeavors and hope they have enjoyed their four years here as much as I have enjoyed having them as a part of our team," Pyles said.

Rio Grande will step back into Mid-South Conference play on Friday (April 16) at St. Catharine. The first game is set for 3 p.m.