ARNOLD, MD – The Anne Arundel Community College softball team earned a split at Mercer County Community College as the Riverhawks opened the 2022 season this weekend. AACC won the first game, 9-2, and dropped the second, 9-7.

AACC combined for 26 hits on the day, including six doubles, two triples, and a home run. Courtney Croson and Alyssa Smith each had six hits, and Smith drove in five runs on the day. Skylar Storm hit a home run in the second game.

The Riverhawks put four runs on the board in the third inning, only to see their lead cut in half in the bottom half of the inning. AACC added seven runs in the fourth and single runs in the sixth and seventh and pitcher Jaclyn Nevins held the Vikings scoreless through the final four innings. She earned the win allowing six hits while fanning four and walking four in the complete game effort. Nevins also was one of six players with extra-base hits in the game, hitting a triple.

In game two, AACC again lit up the scoreboard in the third, scoring two runs. Mercer answered back in the bottom half to take a 3-2 lead. The fourth was déjà vu as AACC scored twice in the top and the Vikings recorded three in the bottom. The Riverhawks had a three-run sixth inning to take the lead, 7-6, but Mercer again answered back with three runs in the bottom half and held on to the 9-7 lead.

Croson cranked out six hits in the game, while Smith and Makayla Ruleman each had two. Kaleigh Hurd started in the circle for the Riverhawks, allowing six runs on eight hits through five innings. Nevins came in for the sixth, allowing three runs on four hits.

Up next, AACC hosts Chesapeake on Friday, March 11,  for a Region 20 doubleheader at 3 and 5 pm.