Rio Grande Sports Information
COLUMBUS, Ga. - The University of Rio Grande softball team opened its 2024 season in successful fashion on Friday afternoon, knocking off nationally-ranked University of Mobile (Ala.) and Kentucky Christian University as part of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic at the South Commons Softball Complex.
The RedStorm rode a strong pitching debut from junior transfer Madison Ogden (Williamsburg, OH) in a 3-1 win over the No. 12 Rams, while senior Caitlyn Brisker (Oak Hill, OH) headlined a 20-hit attack by hitting for the cycle in a 16-2 mercy rule-shortened rout of the Knights.
Mobile slipped to 2-2 with its loss to Rio, while KCU dropped to 0-5 with its second setback of the day.
Ogden, who came to Rio Grande after a stint at NCAA Division I Morehead State University, checked the Rams on four hits, while walking two and fanning six in the opener.
The lone Mobile run came in the top of the third inning when Kristen Black reached on a one-out error, moved to third on a single by Caitlin McRee and -on the same play - scored on a throwing error.
Rio had taken a 1-0 lead in the first on a run-scoring single by sophomore Gabby Adams (Grove City, OH), but regained the advantage on a sacrifice fly by Adams in the third.
The one-run cushion remained intact until the RedStorm added an insurance marker in the sixth on an RBI infield hit by sophomore Kayla Sedgwick (Richwood, OH).
Adams and Sedgwick both had two hits in the win, while Brisker contributed a double.
Emily Butts started and lost for Mobile, allowing seven hits and a walk, while striking out six in a complete game effort.
Against Kentucky Christian, Rio Grande scored in four of its five at bats, including five times in the third inning and eight times in the fifth.
Brisker was one of eight Rio players to finish with multiple hits, collecting a triple in the first, a solo home run in the second and completing the cycle with two hits in the fifth - a leadoff double and an infield single.
Eleven of the RedStorm's 20 hits were for extra bases.
Adams finished 3-for-4, while Sedgwick and freshman Riley Hughes (Wheelersburg, OH) both had two hits and three RBI. Both of Sedgwick's hits were doubles.
Sophomore Madison Perry (Portsmouth, OH) went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI, senior Sydney Campolo (New Lexington, OH) had a pair of doubles and drove in two runs, junior Peyton Young (Mt. Orab, OH) doubled twice and drove in a run and Ogden was 2-for-3 with a double and a run batted in.
Campolo also earned the win in the pitcher's circle, allowing six hits and the two runs over five innings. She walked two and struck out one.
Kayla Bilbey started and lost for the Knights, allowing 11 hits and eight runs over three frames.
Kaitlyn Leyvas doubled twice and drove in a run for KCU, while Hannan Ison also had a double and an RBI.
Rio Grande will be back in action at the three-day Classic on Saturday when it faces Embry-Riddle (Az.) at 11 a.m. and Johnson (Tenn.) at 1 p.m.
