SALEM, Va. - The Randolph softball team struggled to find offensive momentum in the first game of its ODAC doubleheader against Roanoke College, falling 0-5 on Sunday afternoon at the Moyer Sports Complex. The WildCats bounced back behind a dominant performance from pitcher
Austyn Moran in the second game to shutout the Maroons, 7-0.
Despite a solid defensive effort early on, the WildCats (5-19, 4-4 ODAC) were unable to generate runs against a dominant pitching performance from Roanoke (14-10, 5-3 ODAC). Randolph's offense was limited to just two hits in the contest, with
Addie Bowen and
Lexi Hawkins recording the lone base knocks for the WildCats.
On the defensive side, Randolph's pitching staff combined to limit Roanoke to six hits.
Rylee Humble got the start in the circle and worked 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit.
Aubree Bass surrendered five earned runs on four hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Hailey Metzger pitched the final two frames, holding Roanoke scoreless with just one hit allowed.
In game two, Moran was lights out in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just five hits and striking out one over the seven innings and forcing 14 groundouts in the victory.
The 'Cats broke the game open in the second inning, plating four runs to take control.
Chesney Shook with a two-run single up the middle, scored
Haili Gonzalez and
Makenzee Kenney. Later,
Lexi Hawkins added another two-run single, bringing home
Riley Shupe and Shook for the 4-0 advantage.Â
The WildCats tacked on insurance runs with Shupe driving in
Kaitlyn Wills in the sixth. A Maroons' miscue in the seventh allowed a single from
Lacey Lucado led to an unearned run, followed by a
Kieran Wrighter RBI single to cap off the scoring at 7-0.
Shook led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance with two RBIs, while Hawkins also contributed two RBIs. Wills added a triple and Humble and Gonzalez each swiped a base in the win.
The 'Cats return home on Saturday for the ODAC doubleheader against Ferrum. Game times are at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
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