LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College softball team led late in both games Thursday afternoon but couldn't hold onto either contest as Ferrum College snatched a doubleheader sweep from the WildCats in non-conference action. FC knocked off Randolph 7-6 in eight innings in the opener, before taking game two 3-1.

In the opening contest, Randolph (10-6) scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead. In that frame, senior Gina Pagano (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley) posted a RBI single and Patti Vinson (Williamsburg, VA/Lafayette) squeezed in a run. Ferrum would retake the lead with four runs in the fifth inning, taking a 5-2 advantage.

The WildCats wouldn't go away, tying the game in the sixth inning as Jessica Sanabria (Burgaw, NC/Pender) delivered a clutch two-run single to tie the game at five. Randolph gave up two runs in the eighth inning, but could only muster one in the bottom half to fall 7-6 in extras. Ashley Gardner (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge) was two-for-four with three runs, while Pagano finished with two hits. Vinson was 0-3, but made productive outs with three RBI.

In the second contest, Randolph College got a great pitching performance from Logan Carter (Midlothian, VA/Richmond). After four and a half scoreless innings, Randolph loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning with none out. The WildCats could only plate one run, with that score coming on an RBI single from Brittany Willingham (Glen Burnie, MD/Glen Burnie).

The Panthers (18-2) would finally get to Carter in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs to take their first lead of game two. The WildCats had runners on second and third in the bottom half of the sixth, but couldn't get a hit when they needed in dropping the second game of the day. Randolph left fielder Lauren Stevenson (Virginia Beach, VA/Tallwood) went hitless in the second game, marking the first contest of the year she went without a base hit.

Willingham finished with a pair of hits in the second game, as Pagano and Vinson each added a knock apiece. Carter tossed five and a third innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits. Sophomore Kristen Hutchinson (Rockville, MD/Richard Montgomery) finished the game going an inning and two-thirds, being credited with no runs.

The WildCats will return to the diamond Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against the Knights of Southern Virginia University at home.

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