Softball suffers losses at BC

Bridgewater College pounded out 26 hits and received a strong pitching performance from Lisa Rhodes in an 8-0, 9-3 doubleheader sweep of the women's softball team in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action on Tuesday afternoon at Bridgewater.

With the victories, BC improved to 9-8 overall and 2-0 in the ODAC. EMU fell to 6-5 overall and started its ODAC slate at 0-2.

In the first game, sophomore Lisa Rhodes tossed a two-hitter in propelling the Bridgewater College Eagles to victory. She is now 2-5 on the season. Freshman left fielder Jennifer Hall, freshman designated player Corey Payne, and junior second baseman Brittany Stratton each had three hits for BC. Payne drove in three runs. The Eagles collected 16 hits in the six-inning game.

Sophomore Tessa Grubb allowed two runs, one earned, in two innings to take the loss and fall to 1-3 on the season. Freshman Natasha Viafora surrendered six runs in 3 2/3 innings in relief.

In the second contest, the Royals held a 3-2 lead after four innings before BC struck for two in the fifth and five in the sixth to pull away for the 9-3 win. Bridgewater College Junior Carla Boelte allowed three runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. She was relieved by junior Marlo Powell, who held the Lady Royals scoreless for 3 2/3 innings to earn the victory.

At the plate, senior center fielder Meredith Carter, sophomore third baseman Lindsay Ware, Payne, and freshman right fielder Whitney Knighton each had two hits. Ware scored two runs and drove in five.

Freshman Mandy Morris allowed nine runs, including six earned, on 10 hits in six innings to take the loss and fall to 2-1 overall. Freshman left fielder Laura Bomberger and senior second baseman Erin Partee each went 2-for-4 for EMU. Morris hit a two-run home run to help her cause.

The Royals will host the University of Mary Washington on Saturday in a 1 p.m. doubleheader.