RIO GRANDE — The University of Rio Grande spotted West Virginia University-Tech a first-inning lead before roaring from behind to post a 7-3 game-one victory over the Golden Bears in River States Conference softball action on Tuesday afternoon at Rio Softball Park.
Rio Grande finished the day at 30-16 and 18-8 in conference play.
In game one, the Golden Bears grabbed a first-inning lead on a two-run single by Scarlet Janney, but Rio grabbed the lead for good by scoring four times in the fourth inning.
Sophomores Peyton Young and Boo Sturgill — the former Wheelersburg High School star — each had RBI-doubles in the frame, while senior Christen Risner, also of Wheelersburg, had a run-scoring single.
Young and Sturgill both finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run batted in for Rio.
Tech also enjoyed a 2-0 lead in game two after scoring single markers in both the second and third innings, but Rio Grande tied the game with two runs in the fourth inning — after consecutive RBI-doubles by freshmen Gabby Adams and Madison Perry.
Perry played her high school softball for Portsmouth.
But as soon as the RedStorm rallied to tie the game, the Golden Bears blew things open with five runs in the fifth inning.
Redstorm sweeps OCU
RIO GRANDE — The University of Rio Grande used one big inning in each game to pull away and sweep its River States Conference doubleheader with Ohio Christian University on Thursday afternoon at Rio Softball Park.
The RedStorm posted a 9-1 mercy rule-shortened win in the opener, while notching a 9-2 triumph in the nightcap.
Rio Grande improved to 32-16 overall and 20-8 in conference play with the wins, clinching the RSC’s East Division championship in the process.
The division title also secured a first-round bye for the RedStorm in next week’s RSC Championship at Little Creek Park in South Charleston, W.Va.
Head coach Chris Hammond’s club will face an opponent still to be determined on Friday, May 5, at noon.
In Thursday’s opener, Rio Grande broke a scoreless tie with five third-inning runs and then added two more markers in each of the next two innings to invoke the eight-run mercy rule.
Junior Caitlyn Brisker of Oak Hill went 4-for-4 with a triple, three runs scored and a run batted in, while freshman Madison Perry of Portsmouth drove in three runs.
Senior Christen Risner of Wheelersburg tripled and drove in a run.
In game two, Rio Grande enjoyed a 2-1 lead before scoring four times in the home fourth and twice in the fifth to pull away.
Perry had two hits and a run batted in.
Rio Grande concludes its regular season schedule on Saturday when it hosts Carlow for Senior Day.
