LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph softball team played its home opener on Sunday afternoon as it hosted Methodist at the Randolph softball complex. The WildCats split the doubleheader dropping the first game 18-15 and winning the second 8-4.

The first game was a slugfest as the teams combined for nine runs in the just the first inning. The Monarchs scored four times in the top of the first inning. Randolph responded with a five-run bottom of the first. One run came from a bases loaded walk. Chloe Persinger (Buena Vista, Va./Parry McClure) and Paige Naples (Bedford, Va./Liberty) both hit two-run doubles to give the WildCats the lead.

After holding Methodist off the scoreboard in the second inning, it was Randolph's turn in the bottom half. Lacey Lucado's (Buchanan, Va./James River) sac fly plated two runs and Persinger delivered another two-run double as the WildCats went ahead 9-4.

Methodist scored three times in the third inning, four in the fourth, and two in the fifth inning to go ahead 13-9. The 'Cats scored twice in the fifth inning to close to within a pair of runs at 13-11. The Monarchs broke the game open with a three-run RBI single by Bethany Junker and a grand slam by Maria Kollar to go up 18-11. Randolph responded with s four-run sixth inning to make it 18-15. That is where the score stood in the end as Randolph went down 1-2-3 in the seventh inning.

Starting pitcher Jenna St. John (Concord, Va./Appomattox) went three innings giving up 11 hits, seven runs, six walked and striking out one batter. Danielle Shannon (Greenville, Va./Riverheads) surrendered six hits, six runs (one earned), and walked two. Persinger came in for three innings and gave up five runs (three earned) on four hits, two walks, and struck out two.

Dominique Irving (Amherst, Va./Amherst County) was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. She stole a base. Persinger batted 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, and four RBI. Delaney Nuckols (Rockville, Va./Patrick Henry) batted 2-for-2 in the leadoff spot with two runs scored and one RBI while also stealing a base. Allie Jarrett (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) and Taylor Friess (Goode, Va./Liberty) both swiped two bags and collected a hit each.

In the second game, the teams were scoreless after one inning of play. Both scored a run in the second inning. The WildCats went ahead in the second inning as Lexie Lama (Benson, N.C./West Johnson HS) singled home a run and Irving scored on a passed ball.

Nuckols' RBI single in the fourth inning made it 4-1 Randolph and Irving hit a ball deep to the outfield that she would come around and score for an inside the park homerun to put the score at 6-1 WildCats.

Methodist scored twice in the fifth inning to make it 6-3. Randolph got both runs back as Emily Morris (Esmont, Va./Monticello) delivered a two-run double in the sixth inning to give the WildCats an 8-3 lead. The Monarchs scored just once in the seventh as the 'Cats were able to hold off Methodist in the end.

Making her first collegiate start in the circle, Paige Scruggs (Cowpens, S.C./Chesnee) went the distance for Randolph to get the win. She pitched seven innings and gave up four runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out three.

Nuckols was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, one RBI, and one stolen base. Irving went 1-for-3 with the HR, two runs scored and two RBI.

Randolph travels to Raleigh, N.C next weekend for the Grand Slam Triangle Classic. The WildCats will play #14 Piedmont at 12:30 pm on Saturday followed by Pfieffer at 3:00 p.m.