Rio Grande Sports Information
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The University of Rio Grande softball team closed out in season-opening weekend on Saturday by dropping both ends of a split doubleheader against Huntington (Ind.) University and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) University at Georgia Gwinnett College's Grizzly Athletic Complex.
The RedStorm suffered a 5-4 loss to the Foresters in the opening contest, while falling to the Blue Raiders - for a second straight day - in a six-inning, mercy rule-shortened 10-2 decision.
In the opening game against Huntington, the Foresters broke open a close game by scoring four times in the top of the sixth inning to take a 5-0 lead.
Rio Grande got the four runs back in the bottom of the frame on a grand slam home run by junior Nigella Reck (Covington, OH), but could not finish off the comeback.
Kise finished 2-for-3 in the loss, while sophomore Delana Landefeld (Williamsport, OH) also had two hits and freshman Gabby Henry (Williamsport, OH) had a double.
Senior Meg McCallum (Belmont, Ontario, Canada) suffered the loss in the pitcher's circle, allowing six hits and three runs - two earned - over five innings.
Kinzie Mollenkopf went the distance to get the win for Huntington, allowing seven hits and the four runs to go along with four walks and four strikeouts.
Maddie Duvall , Kaylyn Greene and Makenzie Kline all had two hits for he Foresters, while Jess Duvall hit a solo home run.
Greene's hit total included a double, while Kasey Hickle and Khloee Gregory also had a double apiece.
The nightcap saw Lindsey Wilson jump to a 4-0 first inning lead and never look back, scoring twice more in the home sixth to bring the contest to a premature end.
Kaiden Rodgers and Aubrey Miller both finished 2-for-3 with a double and three runs batted in, while Sam Hartman also went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Emmerson McKinnis and Natalie Wandrie also had two hits each, including a double, while Atavya Fowler doubled and drove in a run.
Hallie Roberts started and allowed two runs over 4-2/3 innings to get the win, while Grace Adams recorded the final four outs to record a save.
Kise started and lost for Rio, allowing five hits and four runs over just 2/3 of an inning.
Landefeld went 2-for-3 and Reck had the RedStorm's lone run batted in.
Rio Grande is scheduled to return to action on Friday when it faces Defiance (Ohio) College in a non-conference doubleheader at Little Creek Park in South Charleston, W.Va.
