Rio Grande Sports Information
LIMA, Ohio - The University of Rio Grande twice rallied from multiple-run deficits, but watched the University of Northwestern Ohio put together a walk-off rally of its own for a 7-6 game two victory over the RedStorm, Sunday afternoon, in non-conference softball action at Racer Field.
The win gave the host Racers (4-5) a sweep of the twinbill in their home opener after posting a 1-0 triumph in game one.
Rio Grande finished the day at 2-4.
The RedStorm trailed 2-0 after one inning in game two, but took the lead in the third inning thanks to a run-scoring single by freshman Gabby Adams (Grove City, OH) and a two-run double by freshman Lexi Thompson (Shelby, OH).
The lead was short-lived, though, after UNOH scored four times in the bottom of the frame to make it 6-3.
However, Rio slowly chipped away at the deficit with single markers in the fifth and sixth innings before getting a two-out, two-strike single to right by freshman Kayla Sedgwick (Richwood, OH) to knot the score at 6-6.
The Racers mounted a rally of their own in the bottom of the inning to win it when Tess Denning reached on a one-out walk and scored all the way from first base on a double to center field fence by Anna Ankney.
Adams and senior Christen Risner (Wheelersburg, OH) both finished with two hits and a run batted in for Rio, while sophomore Alexandria "Boo" Sturgill (Wheelersburg, OH) had a pair of doubles and sophomore Peyton Young (Mt. Orab, OH) doubled and drove in a run.
Junior Kali Brickman (Huber Heights, OH) suffered the loss in relief for the RedStorm, allowing just one hit, a pair of walks and the one run over 3-1/3 innings.
Carlie Hanes got the win in relief for UNOH, allowing a hit and an unearned run in one inning.
Denning homered, doubled and drove in three runs for the Racers, while Ankney was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Dani Keighley drove in a pair of runs.
Game one was a pitcher's duel between Hanes and Rio starter Sydney Campolo.
Campolo - a junior from New Lexington, Ohio - took a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Chloe Goulter led off with a double and, after moving to third on a passed ball, scored what proved to be the lone run of the contest on a single by Sydney Feenstra.
Rio Grande had two scoring chances of its own, but failed to take advantage of either opportunity.
Young doubled with one out in the second and was left stranded, while a two-out, third inning scoring threat fueled by a walk to Risner and subsequent double by junior Caitlyn Brisker (Oak Hill, OH) also went by the wayside.
Rio was limited to just five hits, three of which belonged to Brisker.
The RedStorm also wasted a solid performance in the circle by Campolo, who took the loss despite allowing just four hits and walk while striking out seven in a complete game effort.
Zoe Johnson also doubled in the win for the Racers.
Hanes struck out seven in a complete game for UNOH.
Rio Grande is scheduled to return to action on Friday and Saturday with doubleheaders each day at Georgia Gwinnett College.
