Big Day at the Plate for Lett Leads to Sweep Over Bobcats

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – The Richard Bland College Softball team traveled to Bryant & Stratton College (VA) Thursday afternoon for a conference doubleheader. After completion of the games, the Statesmen moved to 7-8 overall, and 3-1 in conference play after grabbing two wins, 7-6 and 12-8.

In game one, Richard Bland took the lead late to defeat the Bobcats of Bryant & Stratton College (VA). Richard Bland was down 5-6 in the top of the seventh inning when Patricia Lett doubled, scoring two runs. Lett collected three hits in four at bats in the win. Lett singled in the fourth inning, hit a solo home run to left field in the sixth inning, and doubled in the seventh inning. Richard Bland opened the scoring in the first after Claudia Minetree doubled, scoring one run. In the bottom of the second, the Bobcats went back into the lead after a home run and a single each scored one run. Richard Bland jumped back into the lead in the top of the fourth inning after the Bobcats committed an error, and Ava Balli singled up the middle, each scoring a run. Richard Bland took the lead, 7-6, in the top of the seventh thanks to doubles by Lett and Brayanna Holland. Taylor Green earned the win for Richard Bland. The righty gave up two hits and zero runs over two innings, striking out four and walking none. Balli opened the game for Richard Bland. The starter allowed seven hits and six runs over five innings, striking out four and walking two.

In game two, Patricia Lett drove in four runs on two hits to lead Richard Bland past the Bobcats, 12-8. Lett tripled in the eighth inning, scoring three runs, and hit a solo home run to center field in the fourth inning, scoring one. Both teams had their chances in the game, but Richard Bland took the lead thanks to a triple in the eighth inning. The Statesmen got on the board in the first inning after Claudia Minetree doubled, scoring two runs. The Bobcats jumped into the lead in the bottom of the first when a passed ball scored on run, and a home run scored two runs. Richard Bland took the lead in the top of the third. McKynzi Dawson scored after tagging up, to give Richard Bland the advantage, 4-3. Bryant & Stratton took the lead in the bottom of the third scoring two runs. The Statesmen grabbed the lead back, 6-5 in the top of the fourth thanks to home runs by Lett and Ashley Beamon. Dawson earned the win for Richard Bland. The reliever surrendered four hits and one run over three innings, striking out two and walking none. Grace Urban stepped in the circle first for Richard Bland. The right surrendered nine hits and seven runs over five innings, striking out eight and walking one. Richard Bland collected 18 hits in the game. Holland, Beamon, Lett, Samantha Barbe, Arianna Manson, Minetree, Green, Balli, and Dawson each collected two hits for the Statesmen.

The Richard Bland College Softball team next hosts NCAA Division II Virginia Union University on Saturday, March 15^th in a 1pm non-conference doubleheader.