Softball

Softball Takes Senior Day Sweep to Greatly Improve Playoff Chances

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- In the team's final conference doubleheader of the year, Randolph swept Bridgewater on Senior Day to boost its playoff hopes.

Randolph won game one, 2-1, then followed it up with an 11-3 victory thanks to a walk off home run by junior Rachel Hickman.

This sweep gave Randolph's seniors, Haleigh Wilson and Patti Vinson, a happy end to an emotional day.

To see photos from the day, including the pregame ceremony, click here.

While the wins do not officially lock up Randolph's playoff positioning, the WildCats strongly solidified their chances, with the rest of the ODAC still having a week to play.

Randolph is assured of at least a tie for the final playoff spots, with an advantage in the tiebreaker currently.

WildCat fans would be best served rooting for Emory & Henry (over Shenandoah) and Sweet Briar (over Eastern Mennonite) on Saturday to help Randolph lock up a playoff berth.

In game one, first-year Haley Brickles scored on a wild pitch in the third inning that glanced off the tip of the catcher's glove but couldn't be corralled with the bases loaded.

Bridgewater got a run back on a single in the top of the fifth as a line drive was misplayed, bringing around the runner from first.

Randolph earned the winning run on a swinging bunt by first-year Brittany Campbell brought junior Jessica Nowak home.

That was all the support Hannah Winfree would need, as the junior came on in relief to get the WildCats out of a jam and finish the game for the win.

In game two, Vinson got Randolph on the board first, singling in sophomore Hunter Glavé in the first.

Sophomore Ashley Dudding, batting next, doubled that lead by singling in Campbell.

Randolph brought three around in the third inning to pad the lead.

Glavé singled, stole second, advanced on a passed ball and scored on a Campbell groundout to earn a run via small ball.

After a delay due to an umpire injury, Dudding walked and advanced to second before being singled in by Wilson.

First-year Alexis Steljes singled in Wilson later that inning to make the lead 5-0.

Bridgewater cut the lead to 5-3 in a single swing off of a home run by Brooke Throckmorton in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fifth, Randolph put up six more runs to end the game via eight-run rule.

After Glavé singled to lead off the inning, she moved to third allowing Vinson to drive her in.

Dudding next brought home pinch runner Tiffany Allen, as the first-year replaced Vinson on the bases.

After Dudding scored on a passed ball, Wilson walked, first-year Rebecca Montgomery singled and Hickman brought both home with a homer to left field, ending the game.

Randolph is done with conference games, but will have two tune-ups before the conference tournament, if qualified.

The WildCats go to Salem on Friday next before finishing by hosting Ferrum on April 21.

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