Rio Grande Sports Information
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - The University of Rio Grande rebounded from a gut-wrenching game one loss by hanging on for a game two win and a doubleheader split with No. 3-ranked University of the Cumberlands, Saturday afternoon, in non-conference softball action at the UC Softball Complex.
The host Patriots recorded a 2-1 walk-off win the opening contest, while the RedStorm held off a late comeback attempt by the hosts for a 5-4 triumph in the nightcap.
Rio Grande finished the day at 7-4 with the split.
Cumberlands closed the day at 8-4.
In game one, the Patriots took a 1-0 first inning lead thanks to a throwing error before Rio tied the game in the second on a run-scoring hit by senior Megan Bazler (West Portsmouth, OH).
That's how things stayed until the home half of the seventh.
Emma McDonald reached on a one-out single, moved to second on a wild pitch and remained at second when Aniyah White reached on an infield single.
One out later, Ryann Livingston bounced a single into left to score McDonald with the winning run.
Carly Oliver had a pair of doubles for UC, while McDonald also finished 2-for-3.
Kaitlyn Schofield tossed 2/3 of an inning in relief to get the win for the Patriots.
Senior Madi Ogden (Williamsburg, OH) was the hard-luck loser for Rio Grande, allowing six hits and two runs - one earned - with a walk and 10 strikeouts.
Junior Gabby Adams (Grove City, OH) had two hits in the loss for the RedStorm.
The back end of the twin bill saw Rio Grande sandwich a fourth-inning run around a pair of two-run frames for a 5-1 lead.
Junior Kayla Sedgwick (Richwood, OH) and sophomore Nigella Reck (Covington, OH) had run-scoring hits in the third and freshman Delana Landefeld (Williamsport, OH) drove in the fourth inning run for the RedStorm.
Cumberlands made things very interesting in the bottom of the sixth.
Jade Gainer led off with a single and Maliyah Wilkins followed with a walk, prompting Rio head coach Chris Hammond to lift reliever freshman Abbi Hollanbaugh (Bidwell, OH) in favor of Ogden.
Bailey Turnbow singled home Gainer to make it 5-2 and, moments later, stole second. A single by McDonald made it 5-3 and, after a single by Amber Atkins loaded the bases, a walk to Abby Guinn sliced the deficit to one.
Livingston followed with a strikeout before McDonald was tagged out at the plate trying to score on wild pitch.
The rally died when Oliver flied to center to end the inning.
The Patriots also threatened when Gainer singled with one out and moved to third on a stolen base and a throwing error while Wilkins was in the process of striking out.
The game ended when Ogden induced Turnbow to ground out to second.
Sedgwick finished 3-for-4 in the win, while sophomore Maddie Engler (Crestline, OH) and Landefeld both went 2-for-3.
Freshman Reese DeCamp (Maryville, OH), the second of four Rio pitchers, got the win with 1-1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Ogden got the save, allowing four hits and a run over two innings with a walk and three strikeouts.
Jessica Cord started and lost for UC, allowing seven hits and three runs in 3-1/3 innings.
Turnbow finished 2-for-4 with a run batted in, while Gainer and Atkins also had two hits each. Oliver had a solo home run.
The two teams will complete their weekend series on Sunday with a single game beginning at 1 p.m.
