DANVILLE, VA – The Randolph College softball team couldn't get clutch hits when needed Wednesday afternoon as the WildCats lost both ends of a non-conference doubleheader with Averett University with scores of 4-1 and 7-2.

In the opening game, Randolph had chances but fell behind early as the Cougars (5-7) scored single runs in the first and second innings off of Randolph starter Brittney Via (Charlottesville, VA/Monticello) . AU upped its lead to 4-0 with a pair of runs in the fourth, highlighted by a RBI double from Brooke Hensley.

In the seventh inning, the WildCats (6-4) led the inning off with back-to-back singles, but Ashley Gardner (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge) was picked off second to give Averett its first out. First-year Patti Vinson (Williamsburg, VA/Lafayette) did register an RBI single in the frame, but the WildCats never could get the tying run to the plate.

Junior outfielder Lauren Stevenson (Virginia Beach, VA/Tallwood) had two hits in three plate appearances, while Garner and Via each had multi-hit contests. Via went the distance in the circle, allowing four earned runs on while fanning four batters.

The nightcap will leave the WildCats stinging, as Averett erased a 2-0 deficit with seven runs in the third inning in cruising to a 9-4 victory. Randolph scored a pair in the opening stanza, with Gina Pagano (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley) and Gardner each picking up RBI in the inning.

Sophomore Kristen Hutchinson (Rockville, MD/Richard Montgomery) was cruising until the third inning, as AU posted seven runs on four hits in the inning. The nightmare of a frame for Randolph had four wild pitches, a hit batsman and three free passes. The WildCats had a chance to claw back into the game in the fourth inning, loading the bases with no one out but couldn't manage to score.

Randolph did get two runs back in the seventh on a two-run double from Vinson, but couldn't get any closer. Stevenson was two-for-four with a run scored in game two, and Brittany Willingham (Glen Burnie, MD/Glen Burnie) had two hits and a run as well. First-year Jessica Sanabria (Burgaw, NC/Pender) also had three hits for Randolph.

Pagano registered a pair of base hits in the nightcap, and Vinson added her first collegiate multi-hit performance in the second game of the day. Stevenson upped her hitting streak to 10, hitting safely in every contest of the year. She has now reached base with a hit in 39 of the WildCats' last 42 games dating back to last season.

Randolph will now look to get back to its winning ways Friday afternoon with a home doubleheader against Castleton State College (VT) at 1 p.m. on the Randolph Softball Field.

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