Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - The University of Rio Grande softball team ran its winning streak to eight straight on Saturday afternoon, sweeping a River States Conference doubleheader from Kentucky Christian University, 10-7 and 7-4, at Rio Softball Park.
The RedStorm improved to 19-10 overall and 12-4 in league play with the wins.
The visiting Knights dropped to 14-16 overall and 8-12 against conference foes.
Game one saw head coach Chris Hammond's team rally from a 1-0 first inning deficit and a 4-2 second inning deficit by scoring seven times in the bottom half of the second to take a lead it would never relinquish.
Five of the seven second inning runs scored on KCU errors, while junior Kendyl Moss and sophomore Emily Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) contributed RBI singles in the frame.
The Knights scored once in the fifth and brought the tying run to plate after scoring twice in the seventh, but couldn't complete the comeback.
Freshman Meredith Pieratt (Eaton, OH) picked up the win in relief, allowing six hits and three runs over 4-1/3 innings. Senior Meg McCallum (Belmont, Ontario, Canada) recorded the final three outs - two by strikeout - to put down the KCU rally and earn a save.
Lane finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, while junior Nigella Reck (Covington, OH) was 2-for-3 with a double and a run batted in. Moss, McCallum and senior Natalie Bates (Vandalia, OH) also had two hits each in the victory.
Abby McPherson started and took the loss for KCU, allowing nine hits and as many runs - only two of which were earned - over three innings.
Ariana Adams led the Knights offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Kylie Mathes also had three hits and drove in a run, while Alyssa Curtis and Hannah Melton both doubled.
In game two, Rio Grande took control early with two first inning runs and a trio of second inning markers.
Bates had a two-run double in the first inning, while Reck had a three-run double in the second.
KCU scored three times in the fifth inning to slice its deficit to 6-4, but the RedStorm tacked on a run-scoring groundout by freshman Gabby Henry (Williamsport, OH) in the sixth inning to set the final score.
Reck finished 2-for-3 in the victory, while Lane was 2-for-3 with a double and freshman Brynlyn Denny (Jackson, OH) added a double of her own and Henry finished with two RBI.
McCallum picked up the win in the pitcher's circle, surrendering eight hits and four runs - three of which were earned - over 5-1/3 innings.
Freshman Macy Kise (Milford Center, OH) who started and was knocked out early in game one, recorded the final five outs for a save.
Sara Bays, who allowed five hits and five runs - only two of which were earned - over 1-2/3 innings, took the loss for KCU.
Alyna Ruiz was 3-for-3 with a double to lead the Knights at the plate, while Madison Penrod was 2-for-3 with a double and Rebecca Engler drove in a pair of runs.
Rio Grande returns to action on Sunday afternoon when it travels to rival Shawnee State University to play a pair of games that were postponed on Friday due to wet weather.
First pitch for game one is set for 2 p.m. at Doc Singleton Park in West Portsmouth.
