Font Size: A A A

Despite a strong pitching performance from Aline Uehara in game one and a pair of home runs in game two, Bluefield dropped a pair of games to UVa.-Wise, Wednesday.

Tim Hartin

March 20, 2013

Despite a strong pitching performance from Aline Uehara in game one and a pair of Bluefield College home runs in game two, the Lady Rams dropped both games in Wednesday’s Mid-South Conference doubleheader at UVa.-Wise, 3-1 and 11-2.

Bluefield drops to 6-16 overall and 1-7 in MSC contests while the Cavaliers improve to 13-8 on the year, 6-2 in MSC play.

Uehara struck out seven Cavaliers in game one, while Uehara and Heather Thomas each hit solo homeruns in game two for the Lady Rams’ only runs. Bluefield was held to just five hits on the day.

Game 1: UVa.-Wise 3, Bluefield 1

Five combined strikeouts in the first inning between starting pitchers Uehara and Rachel Hawks proved to be a telling sign of the ensuing pitchers’ duel for game one.

However, a solo homerun from Kristina Romualdo in the third gave the hosts a 1-0 lead. Wise struck again in the fourth, with Fischer doubling, advancing on a single and then scoring on a Velazquez sacrifice fly.

Bluefield threatened for a big rally in the fifth frame, but could only plate one run. Kourtney McGrady led off the inning with a single, but was forced out on a fielder’s choice, leaving Breanne Vencil on first. The bases then became loaded after Thomas was hit by a pitch and Morgan Stephens singled to center. A walk to Ciera Conkle brought in the Lady Rams’ first run. However, a force out at home and another groundout ended Bluefield’s threat to add more.

The Cavaliers tacked on one more run in the bottom of the inning and held the Lady Rams scoreless the rest of the way for a 3-1 victory.

McGrady went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Bluefield, while Romualdo’s 3-for-3 batting and two RBIs propelled the hosts to victory.

Uehara (2-9) received the loss while pitching 6 innings. Hawks (7-5) earned the win, allowing just three hits on the afternoon.

Game 2: UVa.-Wise 11, Bluefield 2

Bluefield struggled to get the bats going once again in game two, but scored two runs on a pair of solo homeruns. Uehara homered in the second inning, while Thomas cleared the fence in the fourth frame.

The Cavaliers struck quickly, posting two runs in the first and jumped out to a 7-1 lead through two innings. Two more runs in both the third and fourth innings earned the 11-2 run rule victory.

Mindy Combs led the hosts in game two, batting 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Three more Cavaliers had a pair of RBIs apiece.

Megan Meismer (4-7) took the loss for Bluefield. Kellie Waycaster (5-2) picked up the win for the Cavaliers.

The Lady Rams’ next game is slated for Saturday, as they travel to Lebanon, Tenn., to face Cumberland in another MSC matchup. Game one is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Comments: