Rio Grande Sports Information
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The University of Rio Grande softball team posted a mercy rule-shortened win before falling victim to a walkoff loss during Saturday's action in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic at the NMB Sports Complex.
The RedStorm routed Hunter (NY) College, 10-2, in five innings to begin its day, but dropped a 5-4 decision to Jefferson (Pa.) University in its nightcap.
The split left head coach Chris Hammond's club, which had both of its games in the Classic on Friday cancelled due to rain, at 4-8 for the season.
In the game one victory, Rio Grande turned things lopsided with an eight-run third inning explosion.
Junior Cierra Clark (Plain City, OH) had the big hit in the inning with a two-run double, while sophomores Peyton Young (Mt. Orab, OH) and Alexandria "Boo" Sturgill (Wheelersburg, OH) had run-scoring doubles and senior Christen Risner (Wheelersburg, OH) had a RBI single.
Risner went 3-for-3 with a triple in the victory, while Clark was 2-for-2 with three RBI and the freshman duo of Lexi Thompson (Shelby, OH) and Gabby Adams (Grove City, OH) both had doubles.
Sophomore Hannah Beers (Springfield, OH) picked up the win, scattering five hits and a pair of run over five innings. She also struck out a career-high eight innings.
Sophia Perez had two hits and drove in a run for Hunter, while Nicole Bowe doubled and had an RBI. Paige Witalec also had a double in a losing cause.
Leah Dillon started and took the loss for the Hawks, allowing six hits and five runs over two-plus innings.
In the second contest of the day, Jefferson University scored four times in the bottom of the seventh to erase a 3-0 deficit and get the win.
Risner put Rio in front with an RBI double in the third and a two-run double in the fifth, but the Rams mounted their rally in their final at bat against the RedStorm's junior starter Sydney Campolo (New Lexington, OH).
Sam Gomez opened the frame with a single to center before consecutive infield hits by Winnai Hoyt and Ali Murphy loaded the bases.
Bridget Shields followed with a run-scoring single and, one out later, Annalise Pudimott drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Julia Heine had an RBI single to tie the game and, one out later, Emily Akelaitis singled to right to plate the game-winner and cap the rally.
Gomez finished 3-for-3 in the win, while Akelaitis had two hits.
Gianna DeLorenzo, who recorded the final two outs in the top of the seventh, earned the win for the Rams.
Campolo allowed 10 hits - six in the final innings - in suffering the loss.
Rio Grande returns to action on Sunday with two more games in the Classic, facing NCAA Division III schools Fitchburg State and Mount Aloysius College.
