The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (34-3-1, 19-1 ODAC) swept conference rival No. 18 Randolph-Macon to secure their second straight ODAC Regular Season Title. This is the first time the Marlins have swept the Yellow Jackets since 2017.
Game One:
Laci Campbell led the offense going 2-for-4, scored two runs, and had one RBI. Morgan Tucker had a good game, going 1-for-4 with a double, and tallied two RBI and teammate Sarah Prosser was 1-for-4, scored one run, and stole one base.
Hannah Hearl tallied her seventh win of the season, she pitched 7.0 innings, allowed two hits in the shutout, and registered five strikeouts.
Virginia Wesleyan got off to a strong start in the top of the first inning as Sarah Prosser led off the game with a flyout to center field. Mackenzie Myers then struck out swinging, bringing up Laci Campbell, who delivered a solid single up the middle. With two outs, Morgan Tucker stepped to the plate and doubled to right center, driving in Campbell for the first run of the game, giving the Marlins a 1-0 lead.
The second inning saw more action for VWU as they added another run. Julia Piotrowski led off with a bunt single, followed by a fielding error by the third baseman on Samantha Deitsch's ground ball, allowing Piotrowski to advance to second. Deitsch then stole second, while Piotrowski stole third. With runners on second and third, a fielding error by the first baseman allowed Alexis Hudgens to reach first, advancing to second, while Deitsch moved to third. Piotrowski scored on the error, putting Virginia Wesleyan ahead 2-0.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Marlins extended their lead with three more runs. The inning began with Prosser reaching base on another fielding error by the second baseman. Myers then reached on an error by the first baseman, advancing Prosser to third. Laci Campbell followed with a single, advancing to second on the throw, and driving in Myers from third. Prosser scored on the play as well, unearned, bringing the score to 3-0. Tucker reached base on another fielding error by the second baseman, driving in Campbell and Myers, both unearned, increasing the lead to 5-0. Good defense and great pitching from Hannah Hearl sealed the 5-0 win for the Marlins.
Game Two:
Laci Campbell led the offense in game two going 3-for-4 with a double, scored two runs, and had one RBI, Brianna Jones had an excellent game going 3-for-4 with a double, and Olivia Knight was 2-for-4 and scored one run.
Lauren Bible improved to 19-1 on the season, pitched 6.0 innings, allowed two hits, four runs, and recorded two strikeouts. Hannah Hearl came in relief and recorded the save, she pitched 1.0 innings, allowed one hit, and had one strikeout to preserve the 7-4 win.
In the top of the second inning, Virginia Wesleyan opened the scoring Morgan Tucker reached first base on a fielding error by the third baseman and then stole second. Olivia Knight grounded out to second base, advancing Tucker to third. Julia Piotrowski walked, and shortly after, he stole second. Joslyn Woodard then singled to shortstop, driving in Tucker from third. Brianna Jones followed with a bunt single, advancing Woodard to second and Piotrowski to third. A sacrifice fly by Alexis Hudgens to center field scored Piotrowski from third, making the score 2-0.
In the top of the third inning, the Marlins added three more runs. Laci Campbell led off with a single up the middle. Tucker followed with a double to center field, driving Campbell home to increase the lead to 3-0. Knight then singled up the middle, advancing Tucker to third base. A wild pitch allowed Tucker to score while Knight moved to second, extending the lead to 4-0. Julia Piotrowski singled through the right side, advancing Knight to third. The next batter, Woodard, reached first on a throwing error by the pitcher, allowing Piotrowski to advance to third and Knight to score, making it 5-0. RMC responded in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring three runs on two hits to cut VWU's led to 5-3.
However, Virginia Wesleyan's offense added to their lead in the top of the sixth. Samantha Deitsch led off with a single through the left side. Campbell then doubled to left center, driving in Deitsch from first and pushing the lead to 6-3. Olivia Knight responded with a single through the left side, advancing Campbell to third. Campbell then scored on a fielding error by the left fielder, making the score 7-3. Randolph-Macon didn't give up as they scored a run in the bottom of the sixth
By the end of the sixth inning, Virginia Wesleyan had built a 7-3 lead, continuing to capitalize on Randolph-Macon's defensive mistakes while adding to their total with timely hitting.
