FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Randolph softball team started its season on Sunday at Methodist in a non-conference doubleheader. Randolph dropped both games against Methodist, 3-4 in the first game and 1-9 in the second.
Both teams were held scoreless in the first inning in the first game. The Monarchs got on the board in the second inning and then scored once in the fourth and fifth innings.
In the sixth inning, the WildCats scored three times, first on a walk, RBI for
Desiree Scott. A sac fly from
Lexi Hawkins brought home
Riley Shupe and the 'Cats evened the score with
Makenzee Kenney reaching on a fielder's choice to second that allowed
Lacey Lucado to advance to third and run home on an error from the Monarchs.
The score remained at 3-3 until the eighth inning. The game ended with the Monarchs scoring on a wild pitch from the WildCats.
Paige Scruggs led the effort pitching 2.1 innings, giving up two hits and one unearned run while striking out two.
Hailey Metzger followed with 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) with one strikeout.
Rylee Humble delivered a clean 2.0 innings, surrendering just one hit and striking out one without allowing a run.
Aubree Bass faced one batter and allowed an unearned run.
Shupe went 3-for-4 with one run scored.
Laura Herzig contributed with a hit, a run, and a stolen base, while Lucado added a hit and a run. Hawkins and Scott drove in Randolph's two RBIs.
In the second game, Methodist scored once in the first inning. Shupe's RBI single through the right side allowed
Haili Gonzalez to score to tie the game in the third inning. The Monarchs followed that up with two runs to lead at the bottom of the third. The Monarchs then went on a five-run fourth inning to blow the game open and added another run scored in the fifth inning to end the game.
Bass pitched three innings while surrendering eight hits and six runs (five earned) but recorded five strikeouts on 80 pitches.
Delaney Sipes followed with 0.2 innings, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and one walk while striking out one.
Austyn Moran closed out the game with 0.2 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run.
Humble was a perfect 1-for-1 with a walk. Shupe went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Zoe Watson was 1-for-1 with a walk and
Addie Bowen was 1-for-2. Gonzalez got a stolen base.
The 'Cats are home in Lynchburg on Saturday as they host Pfeiffer. The first game of the doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.
