Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - Gabby Adams hit a two-run home in each game and the University of Rio Grande made plays when it had to en route to a doubleheader sweep of the University of Northwestern Ohio, Tuesday afternoon, in non-conference softball action at Rio Softball Park.
The RedStorm avenged a pair of one-run losses to the Racers last month in Lima, sweeping the twin bill by scores of 4-1 and 5-4.
Rio Grande extended its winning streak to eight straight and improved to 12-8 overall.
UNOH dropped to 11-10 as a result of the setbacks.
In the opener, both teams did all of their scoring in the second inning.
The Racers grabbed a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Autumn Pelok before Rio countered with four runs in the home half of the frame.
Adams, a freshman from Grove City, Ohio, clubbed the first home run of her collegiate career to give Rio the lead for good, while junior Lexi Carnahan (Felicity, OH) added an RBI single and senior Christen Risner (Wheelersburg, OH) hit a sacrifice fly to round out the scoring.
Junior Sydney Campolo (New Lexington, OH) did the rest in the circle for the RedStorm, scattering six hits and fanning four in a complete game effort for her sixth win in 10 decisions.
Adams and fellow frosh Kayla Sedgwick (Richwood, OH) both finished 2-for-3 at the plate.
Anna Ankney and Payton Albright had two hits each in a losing cause for UNOH.
Carlie Hanes started and lost for the Racers, although five of the seven hits and all of the runs she allowed came in Rio's four-run second.
The nightcap saw both teams score twice in the first inning and once in the third before Adams broke the 3-3 deadlock in the bottom of the sixth with another two-run home run.
UNOH made things interesting in the seventh against Campolo, who came on in relief of junior starter Kali Brickman (Huber Heights, OH) at the start of the frame.
Ankney reached on a one-out, sun-aided triple to right and, after a walk to Tess Denning, scored on a single to center by Dani Keighley.
But with pinch-runner Megan Miller representing the tying run in scoring position, the game ended moments later when Albright flied to Risner in center and Miller, thinking the ball had cleared Risner's head, was doubled off trying to get back to the bag.
Sophomore Alexandria "Boo" Sturgill (Wheelersburg, OH) went 2-for-3 with a double in the win, while sophomore Peyton Young (Mt. Orab, OH) had two hits and drove in a run.
Junior Caitlyn Brisker (Oak Hill, OH) also had a two-run home run which tied the game in the bottom of the first inning.
Brickman picked up her third straight winning decision in the circle, allowing nine hits and three runs - two earned - over six innings.
Campolo earned her first save of the season.
Ankney went 2-for-4 with a triple, a double and a run batted in for the Racers, while Albright also had two hits and Keighley drove in two runs.
Jaylyn Mullenax, the reigning Pitcher of the Week in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, took the loss for UNOH after allowing seven hits and five runs - four earned - over 5-1/3 innings.
Rio Grande returns to action on Thursday when it hosts pre-season River States Conference favorite St. Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) College for a doubleheader.
First pitch is scheduled for noon.
