Posted: Apr 11, 2015
With the wins on Saturday, the Maroons now sit in sole possession of second place in the ODAC. The Maroons have an ODAC record of 11-3 and are behind Virginia Wesleyan who are 14-2. The Maroons will take on Virginia Wesleyan next weekend, which could decide the #1 seed in the ODAC tournament.
Before the game, Roanoke recognized four seniors who have brought much success to the Roanoke College softball program. During their time on the squad the Maroons have achieved 91 victories, including 43 wins in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. In 2012, the Maroons won the ODAC Championship, the Newport News Regional and finished 4th in the Nation. The Maroons also advanced to the 2013 NCAA Regional Tournament, earning an at-large bid. The seniors recognized before the game were Kelly Higbie, Rhea Schleicher, Alexis Roop and Jenna Pendleton, who will graduate in the fall.
The Maroons needed just one run to win in the first game of the day. Katie Romano came in to pinch run for Becca Wenger, who walked as the lead-off batter. Alexis Roop hit a sacrifice bunt to move Romano over to second. Sarah Groft reached first on a fielding error, which allowed Katie Romano to score from second, picking up the 1-0 victory.
Roanoke finished the first game with just three hits, with Taylor Sutherland picking up two of those. Rhea Schleicher had the other hit for the Maroons. Kelly Higbie pitched a complete game shutout, giving up five hits, while striking out three batters.
Shenandoah finished with five hits, led by Cassie Green with three. Lindsay Corbin pitched 6.2 innings in the loss, striking out five batters and giving up one run.
The second game was a higher scoring battle between the two teams. Roanoke put up one run in the bottom of the first inning. Taylor Sutherland hit an RBI double into right center field, plating Taylor Carter. Roanoke also put up six runs in the bottom of the second. Sutherland picked up a second RBI after knocking in Schleicher with a single. Katie Smith had a two RBI single that plated both Sutherland and Carter. Samantha Baldwin followed up with a three RBI homer to left center field, scoring Wenger and Smith on the play. After two, Roanoke led 7-0.
Roanoke looked to have secured the win with a two run homer from Carter in the bottom of the third, giving the Maroons a 9-0 lead. However, the Hornets put up four runs in the top of the fourth, as they had a series of RBI hits with the bases loaded, topped off by Karli Rorabaugh with a two RBI single to right center field. The Maroons created separation as Baldwin had an RBI single in the bottom of the inning, taking a 10-4 lead. The hornets scored two more runs in the top of the sixth, but it wouldn't be enough to take down the Maroons, as Roanoke earned the 10-6 victory.
Roanoke finished with 12 hits, led by Sutherland, Smith, Baldwin and Meador with two hits each. Baldwin led all maroons with four RBIs. Taylor Carter tallied three runs, while Schleicher and Smith crossed the plate twice. Ruthie Williams picked up the win, while Higbie earned the save with four strikeouts.
The Hornets were led in hitting by Kimberly Brady going 3-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Shenandoah's pitcher Lisa Mitro went six innings, with four strikeouts.
The Maroons return to action on Tuesday, April 14th as they take on Ferrum on the road in double-header action. That contest is scheduled for a 5:30 PM start.
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