ARNOLD, MD – Visiting Potomac State thwarted a late rally from host Anne Arundel Community College in the first game of a Sunday afternoon doubleheader en route to a sweep, 7-11 and 22-3 (5 inn) in NJCAA Region XX Division II action at the AACC Softball Complex.
In game one, Riverhawks sophomore catcher Alexis Brengle hit her first career home run, a two-run shot to left in the bottom of the first. Pitcher Gracie Culley added another run with an RBI double to center later in the inning.
Potomac State answered back with four runs in the second on a bases-loaded single that scored three and another RBI single up the middle.
AACC tied it up in the bottom of the fifth on a sac fly from Silvia Frye, and after surrendering a run in the sixth, came back in the bottom of the inning with RBI singles from Katie Rosati and Brengle to retake the lead, 6-5.
The Catamounts scored six runs in the top of the seventh, highlighted by a three-run home run from Josie Deneen. The Riverhawks executed a double steal in the bottom of the inning for their final run of the game.
Culley (5-6) went the distance for AACC in game one, striking out two while inducing 16 fly outs in the game.
Shyann Farris (6-5) gave up 11 hits while striking out one in the complete game win for the Catamounts.
Game two, however, was all Potomac State from the get go, as the Catamounts led 7-0 after two. Heads up baserunning from Frye plated an AACC run in the bottom of the second, as she came across all the way from second on a wild pitch.
In the fourth, the Catamounts plated 12, earning five as bases loaded walks. The RIverhawks were able to get out of the inning on a double play, seeing second baseman Mariah Melendez-Richardson connect with Carly Gernert to get out of the inning.
Potomac State added three more with two outs in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run homer, again from Deneen, and an RBI single from Kyler Cosgrove.
AACC scored two on the final play of the game, seeing Kyleigh McQuade and Melendez-Richardson score on a Gernert single, yet Brengle was ruled out on a tag at the plate to end the game.
Veronica Hampton took the loss for AACC, starting – and finishing – the game on the mound for a total of four innings work. She allowed 13 hits and issued three walks in her stint. Relievers Allison Jacoby and Frye combined for seven runs on two hits.
AACC hits the road for a doubleheader at Montgomery College Wednesday. Game times are at 3 and 5 pm.