LYNCHBURG, Va.- The Randolph softball team started its 2024 season on Sunday as it hosted Methodist in a non-conference doubleheader. The WildCats shutout the Monarchs in the first game 8-0 while Methodist won the second game 16-2.

In the first game, Randolph scored once on a Lacey Lucado (Buchanan, Va./James River) RBI single in the first inning. Two more runs came home in the second inning on a Dominque Irving (Amherst, Va./Amherst County) RBI triple and a Jenna McDermott (Townsend, Del./Middletown) RBI double.

The score remained at 3-0 until the fifth inning. Lucado reached on an error that allowed Irving and McDermott to score. Lexi Hawkins' (Lynchburg, Va./Liberty Christian) sac fly to centerfield scored the third run. In the sixth inning, Lainey Mutter's (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) RBI double scored one run and the game ended as McDermott reached on an error that allowed Kieran Wrighter (Glen Allen, Va.) to score.

Austyn Moran (Troutville, Va./James River HS) got her first collegiate win as she pitched four innings allowing five hits, and one walk. She struck out two batters. Emily Morris (Esmont, Va./Monticello) came in for the final two innings and allowed just one hit, one walk, and struck out one.

Irving went 2-for-2 with a triple, three runs scored and one RBI. She stole a base. McDermott was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI.

In the second game, Methodist scored twice in the first inning and blew the game open with an eight-run second inning. McDermott was a perfect 3-for-3 with Bethany Martz (Grottoes, Va./East Rockingham) collecting Randolph's other hit.

Paige Scruggs (Cowpens, S.C./Chesnee) pitched 2 2/3 innings. She allowed six runs on seven hits, walked two, and struck out four. Delaney Sipes (Arrington, Va./Amherst County HS) went 2 1/3 innings. She allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 14 hits.

Randolph is idle until February 28 when it travels to Mary Baldwin. The first game of the doubleheader starts at 1:00 p.m.