Softball Celebrates Sophomore Day with Sweep Over Trojans

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Softball team hosted Fayetteville Technical Community College Saturday evening and Sunday for their second series meeting of the season. After completion of the doubleheader, the Statesmen moved to 22-16 overall, and 11-8 in conference play after sweeping the Trojans 4-1, 8-2, and 8-0.

In game one, Richard Bland defeated the Trojans behind a strong performance from Taylor Green. Taylor Green struck out 13 batters as the starting pitcher led the Statesmen past Fayetteville Tech 4-1. Green gave up two hits and one run over seven innings while walking three, and also surpassed her 100^th career strikeout in the game. A ground out by Samantha Barbe put Richard Bland on the board in the bottom of the second. McKynzi Dawson led the Statesmen with two runs batted in. The outfielder went 1-for-4 on the day. Patricia Lett, Arianna Manson, Green, and Dawson each collected one hit for Richard Bland. Richard Bland had a strong eye at the plate, tallying eight walks in the game. Ashley Beamon and Ava Balli led the team with two each.

In game two, Richard Bland scored eight runs in the fourth inning, which helped them defeat the Trojans, 8-2 in the nightcap. Patricia Lett singled, scoring one run, Taylor Green tripled, scoring a one, Samantha Barbe laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring one run, Kaci Godsey singled, scoring one run, Ashley Beamon singled, scoring one run, an error scored two runs, and Green lined out, scoring one run. Fayetteville Tech got on the board in the top of the third inning after Richard Bland committed an error, and a double scored one run each. Brayanna Holland and Dawson each collected two hits for the Statesmen. Grace Urban earned the win for Richard Bland. The righty gave up three hits and two runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out nine and walking two. McKynzi Dawson tossed two and one-third innings of zero-run ball for Richard Bland in relief. The pitcher allowed three hits, striking out none and walking none.

In game three, Richard Bland won big over the Trojans, 8-0. The Statesmen got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Arianna Manson was struck by a pitch, Samantha Barbe singled to the left side of the infield, and Ava Balli walked, each scoring one run. A single by Lett extended the Richard Bland lead to 4-0, in the bottom of the second inning. Richard Bland added two runs in the third after Grace Urban doubled down the left field line. Urban and Barbe each collected two hits for the Statesmen. Urban and Balli each drove in two runs. Balli earned the win for Richard Bland. The starter surrendered two hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out seven and walking three.

The Richard Bland College Softball team next travels to Bryant & Stratton College (VA) on Thursday, April 17^th for an 11:30am doubleheader with the Bobcats.