Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - The University of Rio Grande scored early and often en route to sweeping a River States Conference softball doubleheader from West Virginia University-Tech, Tuesday afternoon, at Rio Softball Park.
The RedStorm notched a pair of mercy rule-shortened victories over the Golden Bears, winning 13-0 in the opener and 11-3 in the nightcap, with both games ending in five innings.
Rio Grande finished the day at 32-8 overall and 20-4 in league play.
The sweep left the Golden Bears at 3-31 overall and 3-21 inside the RSC.
In game one, Rio Grande scored five times in the first inning and eight times in the second.
Sophomore Nigella Reck (Covington, OH) finished 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI, while junior Kayla Sedgwick (Richwood, OH) and sophomore Maddie Engler (Crestline, OH) both had two hits and a run batted in.
Sedgwick's hit total included a home run, Engler had a triple and junior Gabby Adams (Grove City, OH) doubled in the win.
Sophomore Trinity Davis (Hartsville, S.C.) had a grand slam home run in the eight-run second.
Senior Madi Ogden (Williamsburg, OH) earned the win in the circle, allowing one hit and striking out 10 over four innings.
Meghan Gill started and lost for Tech, surrendering four runs over 1/3 of an inning.
Rio Grande grabbed a 5-1 first inning lead in game two and then finished things off with two runs in the fourth and three fifth inning runs.
Engler and freshman Delana Landefeld (Williamsport, OH) both had two hits and a run batted in, while Sedgwick and Adams added two hits each in the winning effort.
Sedgwick, Engler, Adams and freshman Lindzie Runions (Poca, WV) all had doubles, while Ogden drove in a pair of runs.
Senior Hannah Beers (Springfield, OH) started and got the win despite allowing six hits and three runs over 3-2/3 innings.
Ashleigh James started and lost for the Golden Bears, allowing six hits and six runs - only one of which was earned - over three innings.
Hailea Skeens went 3-for-3 with two RBI in the loss, while Gill had a pair of hits.
Rio Grande returns to action this weekend with a four-game road trip.
The RedStorm are scheduled to play at Brescia on Friday and at Oakland City on Saturday, although weather concerns could move the Oakland City games to Thursday.
An official decision on the switch - or to maintain the original schedule - is expected on Wednesday.
