RedStorm softball stays alive at MSC Tournament

Danville, Ky. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball team stayed alive with a 5-4 extra-inning win over No. 8 seed WVU Tech in an elimination game at the 2010 Mid-South Conference Tournament on Friday morning. 

Rio Grande (30-22), the No. 4 seed, built an early lead behind the pitching of sophomore Anna Smith (Ross, OH) and then had to battle to win the game in 10 innings. Smith (17-15) carried a perfect game into sixth inning before WVU Tech (14-37) broke through. Smith pitched all 10 innings in picking up the victory and extending the RedStorm's season by at least one game.

She allowed only three hits and three earned runs while striking out 14 batters and walking two.

Smith was the hero offensively as she went 2-for-5 at the plate with a double and two RBI's. Her second RBI was a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10^th inning. Senior catcher Kaylyn Heading (Hilliard, OH) went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and freshman third baseman Jaymie Rector (Heath, OH) was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Freshman leftfielder Kaitie Stewart (Pleasant Hill, OH) delivered a two-run double, for her only hit in the ballgame. Sophomore first baseman Chelsie Brooks (North Lewisburg, OH) was 1-for-3 and freshman rightfielder Jessica Gall (Mount Vernon, OH) was 1-for-4. 

Rio will face the loser of the Georgetown/Campbellsville game at 3 p.m.