LYNCHBURG, Va.- It was a cold but sunny day as Randolph softball began its 2021 season on Saturday as it hosted Maryville. The WildCats swept the Scots in the doubleheader by scores of 12-9 and 5-2.
In the first game, Maryville jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning. The 'Cats responded with a seven-run bottom of the inning. Allie Jarrett (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) reached on a fielder's choice which eventually scored a pair of runs on an error by the Scot first basemen. RBI singles by Kayla Love (Virginia Beach, Va./Tallwood) and Taylor Friess (Goode, Va./Liberty) put Randolph ahead 4-2. Paige Naples (Bedford, Va./Liberty) doubled to plate two runs. Leadoff hitter Dominque Irving (Amherst, Va./Amherst County HS) singled home Naples to give the WIldCats a 7-2 lead.
The Scots got back a run in the second inning and three in the third to close to 7-6. Another run in the fourth tied the game at 7-7. Randolph broke the tie with a five-run fifth inning to reclaim the lead 12-7. Maryville scored twice in the seventh but fell short in its comeback bid.
Danielle Shannon (Greenville, Va./Riverheads) started in the circle for the WildCats and she gave up seven runs (six earned) on five hits, walking five, and striking out two. Chloe Persinger (Buena Vista, Va./Parry McClure) picked up her first collegiate win in relief with three innings of work. She surrendered two runs (one earned) on two hits, walking five, and striking out two.
Delaney Nuckols (Rockville, Va./Patrick Henry) was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and a run batted in. She also stole a base. Irving, Love, and Friess all collected a pair of hits. Jarrett was 1-for-3 with a run scored and three runs batted in.
In the second game, Randolph went ahead 2-0 in the first inning on sac flies by Lexi Hawkins (Lynchburg, Va./Liberty Christian) and Jarrett. The lead grew to 3-0 in the second as Nuckols poked a single through the left side of the field to score a run.
Maryville countered with two runs in the third to close to 3-2. Hawkins came up big again, this time in the fourth inning, as her single to right scored two runs.
Braelyn Cooper (Amherst, Va./Amherst County HS) secured the win as she went 6 1/3 innings. She gave up just one earned run, walked two, and struck out seven batters. Emily Morris (Esmont, Va./Monticello) pitched 2/3 of an inning and gave up a hit and two walks.
Hawkins was 2-for-3 with three runs batted in. Jarrett went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.
Randolph travels to Methodist on Tuesday. The first game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. with the second game at approximately 4:00 p.m.
