SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College softball team dropped both games of a River States Conference doubleheader to Rio Grande (Ohio) on Friday afternoon at the SMWC Softball Field, falling 9-5 in game one and 9-3 in game two.
With the losses, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College moved to 4-10 overall and 2-4 in conference play, while Rio Grande improved to 13-10 (6-4 RSC).
In game one, the Pomeroys kept pace early before a five-run third inning by Rio Grande created separation. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College answered throughout the contest, scoring in the first, second, fifth, and seventh innings.
Libby Jaynes drove in two runs, while
Bailey Duke added a double and an RBI.
Audrey Schau and
Kyar McVey each recorded two hits, with Schau adding an RBI.
Emma Hunter also drove in a run for the Pomeroys.
Rio Grande was powered by Adelyn Wolfe, who went 3-for-4 with three home runs and five RBIs in the opener.
In game two, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jaynes delivered an RBI single, and Schau added a run-scoring groundout to give the Pomeroys momentum.
Rio Grande responded with a six-run second inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and defensive miscues to take control of the game. The RedStorm added two more runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to extend the lead.
The Pomeroys tallied nine hits in the second game, led by McVey's two-hit performance.
Abbi Henderson added an RBI single, while Duke recorded a double.
Jasmine Kinzer started in the circle for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, allowing eight runs over five innings, while
Kylie Cooksey provided two innings of relief.
Despite consistent offensive production across both games, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College was unable to overcome Rio Grande's big innings in each contest.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will return to action on Saturday, March 21, hosting Shawnee State University (Ohio) in a River States Conference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. (ET), with game two scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET) at the SMWC Softball Field.