LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph softball team hosted Southern Virginia in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. The WildCats kept their winning streak going as they swept the doubleheader from the Knights winning 8-0 and 5-4.
Randolph's winning streak is at four games as it improves to 5-6 overall on the season. It is the first back-to-back sweep for the WildCats since 2017.
In the first game, the WildCats jumped on the Knights early. Delaney Nuckols (Rockville, Va./Patrick Henry) led off with a single to right field. Dominique Irving (Amherst, Va./Amherst County) then singled to the third base side. Lexi Hawkins (Lynchburg, Va./Liberty Christian) singled to load the bases. On a wild pitch, Nuckols scored. Diane Mahiai (Chesapeake, Va./Salem) then hit a double to left to score two runs and give Randolph a 3-0 lead.
The score remained 3-0 until the WildCat fourth inning. Lacey Lucado (Buchanan, Va./James River) reached on an error and then stole second base. The pickoff throw landed in centerfield and the throw back was off the mark as Lucado then scored to make it 4-0 Randolph. With one out, Railey Oetken (Chesapeake, Va./Deep Creek) doubled to left center to put two runners on base. Nuckols singled to the pitcher. Irving's hit to second base scored a run. A Hawkins' groundout scored Oetken. Mahiai's single to left scored a pair of runs to put the score at 8-0.
Starting pitcher Danielle Shannon (Greenville, Va./Riverheads) send the Knight batters down 1-2-3 in the fifth inning to complete the shutout. She pitched a no-hitter and struck out two batters.
Nuckols and Irving were both 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. Mahiai was 2-for-3 with a double and four RBI. Oetken went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored.
In the second game, starting pitcher Paige Scruggs (Cowpens, S.C./Chesnee) allowed a leadoff triple. She settled down quickly from there as she induced a groundout and struck out two batters. She also retired the side in the second inning.
In Randolph's portion of the inning, Mahiai lined out to left field leading off. Lucado walked then stole second base. Chloe Persinger (Buena Vista, Va./Parry McCluer) walked and an error on the Southern Virginia catcher allowed Lucado to move to third base. After Madison Jarrelle (Chesterfield, Va./Manchester) flied out, Persinger stole second while Lucado stole home to give the 'Cats a 1-0 lead. Hawkins doubled to left to score Persinger to make the score 2-0 in favor of Randolph.
The WildCats scored another pair of runs in the third inning to lead 4-0. Randolph scored once in the fifth to increase their lead to 5-0.
The Knights got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning as they scored on a wild pitch and a sac fly. With two outs in the seventh, Adisen Webster doubled to left field. Krystal Kemp then tripled to score two runs and Southern Virginia was within one run of tying at 5-4. Scruggs got Sydney Matis to strike out to end the game and secure the victory for Randolph.
Scruggs pitched 5 2/3 innings. She allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits. She did not allow a walk and struck out seven Knight batters. Emily Morris came in for 1 1/3 innings. She allowed two earned runs and walked four.
Nuckols and Irving were 2-for-4 at the plate. Nuckols scored one run and Irving two runs. Irving and Nuckols also stole a base each. Mahiai went 2-for-3 with a run batted in. Hawkins batted 1-for-3 with a run batted in. Lucado stole two bases.
The WildCats travel to Mary Baldwin on Friday afternoon. Game 1 of the doubleheader starts at 2:00 p.m.
