Rio Grande Sports Information
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Games which end prematurely due to the 8-run mercy rule, usually don't take as long to complete when compared to a regulation contest.
But for the University of Rio Grande softball team, plenty of scoring and a weather delay to start the day had Friday's two run-rule outings stretching into the wee hours of Saturday morning.
The RedStorm dropped a 14-6 decision in five innings to Johnson (Tenn.) University before blasting Brenau (Ga.) University, 16-5 in five innings, in its nightcap on day one of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic at the South Commons Softball Complex.
The games, which were originally scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., were pushed back to 6:30 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. due to a combination of factors, including a 4-1/2-hour weather delay to start the day.
Rio's second game against Brenau didn't see the final out recorded until 1:07 a.m.
The RedStorm led their opening contest against the Royals, 4-3, entering the bottom of the third inning, but Johnson scored five times in the third and twice in the fourth to take a 10-4 lead.
Rio mounted a two-run rally in the top of the fifth, but the Royals pushed across four more markers in the home fifth to invoke the mercy rule.
Megan Armstrong led JU with three hits, including a double, and five runs batted in. Audrey Moorhouse and Aly Dickerson both had three hits and three RBI.
Reese Burns had two hits and drove in two runs for the Royals, while Taylor Minnick and Madison Hood also had two hits each in the victory. Burns, Moorhouse, Minnick and Kadie Presley also doubled in the winning effort.
Lindy Webber got the win for Johnson despite allowing six hits and six runs while walking eight batters.
Freshman Meredith Pieratt (Eaton, OH) started and took the loss for Rio, allowing six hits and five runs over two-plus innings in the circle.
Junior Nigella Reck (Covington, OH) had two hits and drove in four runs for the RedStorm.
The late start to the final game of the day failed to deter Rio Grande, which scored nine times in the first inning and six times in the second for a 15-0 lead after two innings.
Senior Natalie Bates (Vandalia, OH) had two hits and four RBI, Reck had two hits and drove in three runs and the trio of sophomore Delana Landefeld (Williamsport, OH), freshman Macy Kise (Milford Center, OH) and senior Meg McCallum (Belmont, Ontario, Canada) all had two hits and two RBI.
Freshman Gabby Henry (Williamsport, OH) also had two hits and drove in a run.
Reck, Bates, McCallum and freshman Adeyn Wolfe (Lancaster, OH) all had doubles.
Kise got the win in the pitcher's circle, allowing six hits and five runs - two earned - with five walks and a strikeout.
Riley Walker started and lost for the Tigers, allowing seven hits, two walks and nine runs over 2/3 of an inning.
Cayden Warren drove in two runs in the loss for Brenau.
Rio Grande will return to action on Saturday with two more contests. The RedStorm will face Thomas (Ga.) University at 2:30 p.m. and Lousiana Christian University at 5 p.m.
