SALEM, Va. -- No. 5 ranked Virginia Wesleyan College outscored Randolph College's WildCats 6-0 in its last two innings at bat Friday to post an 8-2 victory in an opening round game of the 2015 Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship tournament at the Moyer Complex.

Virginia Wesleyan (29-4) never trailed in the contest, but Randolph (17-18) forged a 2-all tie with a pair of runs scored in the top of the fifth inning. The 'Cats managed only a single in the inning, but took advantage of a walk and two VWC errors to help plate the runs.

It was a short-lived tie however, as Virginia Wesleyan regained control in the bottom of the inning with three runs helped in by a trio of hits and two Randolph errors. Courtney Bogan (Round Hill/Woodgrove) led off the inning by reaching base on an error, junior Kayla Malkos (Roanoke/Cave Spring) singled, and Bogan scored on the 'Cats second error.  Malkos scored on a double to right centerfield from rookie Cassity Howerin (Dover, Del./Caesar Rodney), who scored VWC's third run on a sacrifice fly to right from junior Kayla Dost (Bristow/Nokesville Brentsville).

After limiting Randolph to a single in the top of the sixth, Virginia Wesleyan returned to the plate to tack on three more runs. Dost delivered the big hit, belting a two-run single to center field to score Malkos, who reached base on a wild pitch, and rookie Sami Pearce (Powhatan/Powhatan), who led off the inning with a walk.  Junior Taylor Galvin (Virginia Beach/Kempsville) ripped a single to right to score Howerin, increasing VWC's lead to 8-2.

Randolph put together a two-out rally with a pair of singles in the top of the seventh, but could not make it pay off.

Virginia Wesleyan outhit Randolph 11-6, led by Howerin, who led off the third inning with a single to left.  She also recorded a double. Sophomore Blake Henderson (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes), Dost, and Bogan all finished with two hits each.  Bogan and Malkos stole three bases each.

Kristina Karagiorgis (Ashburn/Briarwoods) started in the circle for the Marlins and struck out 10 batters, while allowing just a walk and four hits.  She improved her season record to 15-2. Mary Shipp (Virginia Beach/First Colonial) pitched the final inning.

Six different players stroked a single each for Randolph.  The WildCats put three pitchers in the circle, with Hannah Winfree (Yorktown/York) taking the loss and falling to 10-9.  She struck out five, walked one and gave up six hits.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Friday at 7 p.m., taking on Randolph-Macon College's Yellow Jackets.

--AMDG--