LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph softball team returned to play following a two-week layoff and made the short trip across town to the University of Lynchburg. In the ODAC opener for the WildCats, Lynchburg won both games by scores of 9-4 and 8-0.

In the first game, the WildCats jumped on Hornet starting pitcher Michelle Lehan. Lehan walked Dominque Irving (Amherst, Va./Amherst County) and Delaney Nuckols (Rockville, Va./Patrick Henry) with a passed ball moving both runners up a base. After recording two outs, Taylor Friess (Goode, Va./Liberty) walked to load the bases. Paige Naples (Bedford, Va./Liberty) then launched a double to left centerfield to plate three runs and give the WildCats a 3-0 lead.

The Randolph lead held into the bottom of the fourth inning. Lynchburg scored six runs to overtake the 'Cats and go ahead 6-3. The WildCats got one run back in the top of the fifth as an Allie Jarrett (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) single scored Irving to make it 6-4.

The Hornets scored twice in the fifth and once in the sixth to go up 9-4. Randolph went down 1-2-3 in the sixth and seventh innings as Lynchburg came away with the win.

Emily Charlton relieved Lehan in the first inning and went 6 1/3 innings. She surrendered just one unearned run on two hits and struck out three.

Braelyn Cooper (Amherst, Va./Amherst County) got the start in the circle for the WildCats. She pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up six runs (five earned) on three hits. She walked one and struck out two batters. Jenna St. John (Concord, Va./Appomattox) came in for relief and pitched the last 2 2/3 innings. She gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits, walking two, and striking out one.

Irving, Jarrett, and Naples had Randolph's hits. Irving scored two runs.

In the second game, the WildCats were held to one hit which was by Irving in the first inning. Randolph looked to score its first runs of the game in the fifth inning. Friess reached on an error and Chloe Persinger (Buena Vista, Va./Parry Mccluer) on a fielder's choice. A wild pitch advanced both runners. Both would be left stranded, however, as the 'Cats struck out twice and grounded out to end the game.

Danielle Shannon (Greensville, Va./Riverheads) started in the circle and went 3 2/3 innings. She surrendered eight runs on nine hits. She walked two. Persinger came in for relief and got one batter out. She gave up two hits.

The WildCats travel to #2 Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday. Game times will be at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.