Rio Grande Sports Information
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The University of Rio Grande softball team closed out its opening weekend of action on Saturday exactly as it began the day before - with a pair of victories in the Cola Classic.
The RedStorm bounced Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist, 5-1, before rolling event co-host Columbia College, 9-3.
In the opener against Spartanburg Methodist, the RedStorm grabbed a 2-0 first inning lead and then added two more runs in the fifth and another run in the sixth to ice the victory.
Junior Gabby Adams (Grove City, OH) went 2-for-4 with a double and a run batted in for Rio, while junior Kayla Sedgwick (Richwood, OH) also had two hits, including a double.
Freshman Madison Brentlinger (Indian Lake, OH) doubled and drove in a run in the winning effort.
Senior Madi Ogden (Williamsburg, OH) started and got the win in the circle for the RedStorm, allowing two hits, two walks and an unearned run while fanning 15.
Bailey Kiser started and took the loss for Spartanburg Methodist (4-3), allowing seven hits and five runs over five innings.
Adriana Stump-Frias had a hit and drove in a run in the loss for the Pioneers.
Against Columbia in the nightcap, Rio Grande spotted the host Fighting Koalas a first inning lead before scoring twice in the second inning to take a lead they would never relinquish.
The RedStorm secured the victory with four runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Adams went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI, while sophomore Trinity Davis (Hartsville, SC) tripled and drove in two runs and senior Megan Bazler (Portsmouth, OH) had a double.
Sophomore Sammi Speakman (Jefferson, OH), the first of five Rio pitchers, earned the win, while senior Hannah Beers (Springfield, OH) tossed 1-2/3 innings of relief at the end to earn a save.
Ali Boyd started and lost for Columbia (2-5), allowing six hits and seven runs - three earned - over 5-1/3 innings of work.
Sophia Caley had two hits and two RBI in the loss, while Aliyah Crawley was 2-for-4 and Maggie Hinz had a double.
Rio Grande returns to action next Friday at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Ga.
The RedStorm will face the host Grizzlies in a 2 p.m. opener before squaring off with Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College at 4 p.m.
Rio will also play a pair of games on Saturday at GGC, tangling with Coastal Georgia at 8:30 a.m. and Lindsey Wilson at 10:30 a.m.
