For immediate release – 3/13/2016 - #247
Spirits Take Down WildCats Twice in Extra Innings

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College softball team lost both games on Sunday to Salem College, with each needing extra innings to be decided.  Game one saw the visitors win 5-3 in nine, while SC won 3-2 in eight during game two.

The Spirits got on the board in the first inning of game one, scoring off of an error.  The WildCats looked to respond in the bottom half of the frame.  With one out, Jessica Nowak started a rally with a single.  Hunter Glavé followed with one of her own, and Rebecca Montgomery loaded the bases in the same fashion.  However, Bri Morris got out of the jam, forcing two groundouts.

Lindsey Chaney (4-1) and Morris (6-1) both settled down during the second frames, as the game turned into a pitcher's duel.  Morris set down the 'Cats in order in four straight innings.  Chaney was just as dominant.  She let a few runners on, but got out of every jam she faced.  Chaney also went 1-2-3 in the fourth inning.

SC finally broke through for its second run in the fifth inning.  Keirston Garner hit in Montana Lineberger to take a 2-0 lead.  The WildCats would answer, responding in the sixth.

Ki Jenkins started off the inning with a walk and was forced to third by two outs.  Jenkins crossed home on an error, as Montgomery reached.  Dianne Davis then hit a shot to the warning track in left center that tied the score.  The seventh saw both teams threaten, but the game would need extra innings.

After a 1-2-3 in the top half, Randolph looked to score in the eighth inning.  Jenkins started on second and advanced to third on a Nowak sac bunt.  Glavé hit it to the second baseman, and Jenkins sprinted home.  It appeared the ump signaled safe, but clarified that he meant the runner was not tagged nor touched the plate.  Jenkins was then tagged and Glavé was doubled up amid the confusion.

Salem then scored three runs in following top half of the inning.  The WildCats scored came back with one, but the Spirits earned the game one 'W'.

Game two started very similar to the first, as the Spirits scored in the first inning.  Pitcher Hannah Nolan helped her cause with an RBI single.  Nolan (1-3) and Hannah Winfree then squared off in another duel, which saw little action on the base paths.

Each team had a 1-2-3 inning during the stretch, while impressive defensive plays were shown off.  Jenkins threw out a runner at the plate to the end the first and she added a diving catch later on to end the third.

In the bottom of the fourth, the WildCats bats came alive, as Glavé started things off with a single.  She advanced to third after an error on a sacrifice bunt by Montgomery.  Davis followed with a hard hit at the shortstop.  It took a tough bounce and went all the way to the fence, scoring Glavé and allowing Davis to reach second.  Rachel Lee pinch ran for Davis and scored on the ensuing play as Winfree singled to short.  The Spirit booted the ball, and Lee scored.  However, Nolan worked her way out of the jam, as the 'Cats held a 2-1 lead.

Salem tied the score in the fifth, as Lineberger hit a bloop single on the right field line with two outs.  Garner doubled to the right field fence, and Lineberger tied the score.

Both teams failed to get anything going, as Nolan and Gracyn Allen-Ingle (3-1) pitched very well.  The WildCats had two on in the seventh but could not capitalize.  SC took advantage of the extra inning rule, where the runner is placed on second to start, and scored shortly after, taking the 3-2 win.

Davis finished the twin bill with three hits and three RBI.  Garner did the same for the Spirits (8-8 overall).

Randolph (11-5) will head back on the road for its next two doubleheaders.  The first will come on Tuesday at William Peace University.  The early season makeup will start at 2:30 p.m.

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