In the first game, the visiting Redwomen (23-11, 12-2 AMC South) built a 2-0 lead by scoring single runs in the top of the first and top of the third innings respectively. Brittnany Creviston drove in the run in the top of the first inning on a squeeze bunt, while Mimi Mahon added an RBI-single in the top of the third inning.

MVNU rallied to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore designated player Staci Graham (left) drove in all three runs with a bases-loaded double to leftfield after an error with two outs prolonged the inning for the Lady Cougars.

After Rio Grande knotted the score at 3-3 in the top of the fourth inning on a run-scoring infield single by Leah Hamman, MVNU pushed across two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 5-3 lead. An error by the Redwomen let the first run score, and sophomore shortstop Tasha Konkle plated the second run with an infield single.

Then, in the top of the sixth inning, Rio Grande sent 10 batters to the plate and exploded for five runs on six hits and two errors as the Redwomen moved back in front 8-5. Hamman and Whitney Harless both drove in two runs in the inning and the other run came in on an error.

That would prove to be the final score as the Lady Cougars were unable to answer as Rio Grande took the first game 8-5.

Junior right-hander Candace White (8-7) suffered the loss on the mound as she allowed 15 hits, one walk, and eight runs (only four earned) over seven innings with five strikeouts.

Miranda Laws earned the win on the mound for the Redwomen as she scattered seven hits, five walks, and five runs (only one earned) over seven innings with six strikeouts.

Graham and junior outfielder Whitney Clark both had two each for MVNU with Graham driving in three runs. Meanwhile, Hamman, Mahon, Harless, Laws, Jessica Ross, and Amanda Stevens each had two hits apiece for Rio Grande.

In the second game, the Redwomen jumped out to a 4-0 lead after their first three at bats. Sophia Young and Shannon Abbott both had run-scoring hits in the top of the second inning, while Mahon and Kaylyn Heading added RBI-singles in the top of the third inning.

The Lady Cougars got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning on sophomore outfielder Leslie Banichar’s (right) RBI-single. However, Rio Grande answered with four runs in the top of the fourth inning. Ross had an RBI-triple, Kaci Dunn registered an RBI-double, Creviston registered a sacrifice fly, and Heading pounded a run-scoring double as the Redwomen’s lead grew to 8-1.

An RBI-triple by sophomore outfielder Lauretta Wallace made it 8-2, but a three-run homer by Heading pushed the lead back up to 11-2. Junior pinch hitter Laura Morris made it 11-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning on a run-scoring double, but that was as close as MVNU would get as Rio Grande prevailed 11-3 as the eight-run mercy rule stopped the game after six innings.

Senior right-hander Kristin Eyerman (8-4) suffered the loss for the Lady Cougars as she gave up 11 hits, four walks, and eight runs over 3.2 innings with three strikeouts. Graham tossed the final 2.1 innings and allowed four hits and three runs with one strikeout.

Young picked up the complete-game win for the Redwomen as she scattered eight hits, one walk, and three runs over six innings with one strikeout.

Heading and Mahon both went 4-for-4 to lead Rio Grande with Heading driving in five runs. Young also added two hits. Meanwhile, MVNU was led by Konkle and Banichar with two hits each.

The Lady Cougars will look to bounce back on Friday as MVNU will travel to Geneva (Pa.) College for the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Tournament. The Lady Cougars will square off with the host Golden Tornadoes at 4:00 p.m. with a berth in the NCCAA National Tournament in West Palm Beach, Florida on the line.