Rio Grande Sports Information
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The University of Rio Grande scored early and often and cruised to a doubleheader sweep of Bluefield (Va.) University, Saturday afternoon, in non-conference softball action at Little Creek Park.
The RedStorm blanked the Rams in the opener, 10-0, while rolling to a 17-4 triumph in the nightcap. Both games were halted after five innings as a result of the eight-run mercy rule.
Head coach Chris Hammond's club, who also posted a pair of mercy rule wins on Friday, improved to 5-3 with the wins.
Bluefield slipped to 1-3 as a result of the sweep.
In game one, Rio Grande scored in each of its five at bats, including three times in both the fourth and fifth frames.
Senior Meg McCallum (Belmont, Ontario, Canada) had two hits and drove in a run, while sophomore Delana Landefeld (Williamsport, OH) also had two hits and scored three times. Freshman Macy Kise (Milford Center, OH) and sophomore Lindzie Runions (Poca, WV) drove in two runs each.
Junior Nigella Reck (Covington, OH) and freshman Adelyn Wolfe (Lancaster, OH)both tripled in the winning effort, while freshman Gabby Henry (Williamsport, OH) and junior Mady Vivace (Indianapolis, IN) both had a double.
Kise got the win in the pitcher's circle, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out nine over four innings.
Bluefield was limited to just three hits.
Isabella Smith started and lost for the Rams, allowing eight hits and seven runs over 3-2/3 innings.
Game two saw Rio Grande follow up a five-run first inning and a two-run second inning with 10-run third inning explosion.
McCallum went 3-for-3 in the win, while Reck homered, tripled and drove in three runs. Junior Kendall Moss (Cincinnati, OH) also had two hits - including a double - and three runs batted in.
Kise and Runions had two hits and two RBI each, while senior Natalie Bates (Vandalia, OH) finished 2-for-2 and freshman Kendall Booth (Mechanicsburg, OH) had a double. Kise's hit total included a double.
McCallum started and got the win, allowing three hits and two runs over three innings.
Alexis McDuffie started and lost for Bluefield.
Kenidy Harris went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI in a losing cause, while Delana Loflin.
Rio Grande is scheduled to return to action next Friday as part of the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Classic in Columbus, Ga.
