Softball Drops Two to NCAA Division II Vikings

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Softball team hosted NCAA Division II, Elizabeth City State University in their home opener Friday afternoon, for a non-conference matchup. After completion of the doubleheader, the Statesmen moved to 1-3 overall after falling 6-9 in game one, and 5-7 in the night cap.

In game one, Richard Bland came up short to the Vikings, falling 6-9. The Statesmen were the first to get on the board in the third inning when Ashley Beamon grounded out, scoring one run. The Vikings captured the lead, 1-3, in the top of the fifth when an error scored two runs, and a walk scored one run. The Statesmen regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Beamon doubled, scoring one run, and Brayanna Holland singled, scoring two runs. Elizabeth City State jumped back into the lead in the top of the sixth, and also scored one run in the top of the seventh to give themselves insurance. Richard Bland amassed 12 hits in the game. Holland, Beamon, Sydney Thompson, and McKynzi dawson each collected two hits for Richard Bland. McKynzi Dawson took the loss for Richard Bland. The righty went five innings, giving up seven runs, on 10 hits, striking out one and walking two.

In game two, the Vikings jumped ahead from the start scoring three runs to take an early lead. Richard Bland got their offense moving in the bottom of the third inning when Ashley Beamon singled on a hard ground ball to center field, Claudia Minetree hit a fly ball and reached on an error, advancing to second and Beamon to third, and a Grace Urban single on a line drive to center field, scoring both Beamon and Minetree to cut the Vikings lead to one, 2-3. The Vikings fought back in the top of the fourth, pushing one more run across the plate. The Statesmen added one run in the fifth, sixth, and seventh, but it was not enough as the Statesmen fell 5-7. The Statesmen totaled 12 hits in the game, with Grace Urban leading, going 3-for-4 in the game. Taylor Green took the loss in the circle for the Statesmen throwing seven innings, giving up seven runs, on six hits, striking out three, and walking two.

The Richard Bland College Softball team next travels to Patrick & Henry Community College on Wednesday, February 12^th for a 1pm doubleheader.