LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph softball team hosted Mary Baldwin on Tuesday afternoon. The Fighting Squirrels took the first game 9-7 in eight innings while the WildCats came back to win 6-3 in five innings.

Randolph got out ahead 3-0 in the first inning on back-to-back RBI doubles by Lexi Hawkins (Lynchburg, Va./Liberty Christian) and Alyssa Swords (Prince George, Va./Prince George) and a sac fly by Taylor Friess (Goode,Va./Liberty). Mary Baldwin knotted the game up with a three-run third inning.

The WildCats scored once in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead but the Fighting Squirrels grabbed the lead back with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. The lead swung back to the 'Cats as they scored twice in their portion of the fifth inning. MBU was able to tie the game in the sixth inning as Randolph pitcher Emily Morris (Esmont, Va./Monticello) walked in a run with the bases loaded.

The game remained tied after the seventh inning and went to extras. In the eighth, Mary Baldwin's Lacey Pugh hit a double to bring home three runs and put the visitors ahead 9-6. The WildCats scored once as Delaney Nuckols (Rockville, Va./Patrick Henry) brought home Paige Naples (Bedford, Va./Liberty) but the Randolph rally fell short.

Starting pitcher Jenna St. John (Concord, Va./Appomattox) went four innings and gave up four earned runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out one. Morris surrendered three earned runs on three hits and walked six batters.

Dominque Irving (Amherst, Va./Amherst County) was 2-for-5 with a run scored and two swiped bags. Swords was 2-for-3 with a run scored, a run batted in, and two stolen bases. Railey Oetken (Chesapeake, Va./Deep Creek) collected three hits and Randolph's other stolen base. Naples pinch hit in the fifth inning and smacked a RBI double.

In the second game, Mary Baldwin struck first as Haley Roberts' RBI triple scored a run. Doubles by Allie Jarrett (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) and Hawkins brought two runs home for the 'Cats. Kayla Love (Virginia Beach, Va./Tallwood) singled to score Hawkins and Randolph had a 3-1 lead.

The Fighting Squirrels plated a run in the top of the third. In the WildCat third, a Naples sac fly scored a run and an Irving singled brought two around to make it 6-2 WildCats.

MBU got one back in the fifth inning. After Samantha Grimsley recorded the last out of the inning, the game was called because of darkness and the WildCats were able to walk away with a victory.

Danielle Shannon (Greensville, Va./Riverheads) picked up the win in the circle for the 'Cats. She pitched four innings and allowed two runs on five hits while walking two. Chloe Persinger (Buena Vista, Va./Parry McClure) came in for an inning of work and gave up one run on one hit while walking one.

Irving was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in, a run scored, and a stolen base. Love batted 2-for-2 with a run scored and a run batted in. She also stole a base.

Randolph travels to Fredericksburg on Saturday to face the University of Mary Washington. Game times are at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.