HARRISONBURG, Virginia – The Bobcats (22-7) lost 3-1 in eight innings to the Dukes (17-9) to begin Sun Belt Conference play 2-1.
After three scoreless innings the Bobcats took the lead in the top of the fourth inning. After a Karmyn Bass groundout, Piper Randolph struck out swinging but was able to make it to first base due to a wild pitch and the catcher failed to throw the ball to first base in time. JJ Smith would double next and Randolph just beat the throw at home to give the Bobcats the first run of the game.
The Dukes were able to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth as they loaded up the bases. Reed Butler got the inning started with a single. KK Mathis was walked and then Hallie Hall got a single to load the bases. Payton List then hit the ball right back to Mullins, but the ball went off of her glove and this allowed Butler to score and List to make it to first base safely. Abbie Campbell popped up and Lexi Rogers grounded out into a double play to end the inning. Mullins was able to get out of the jam and only allowed one run to score.
The Bobcats were able to load the bases in the top of the seventh inning but failed to produce any runs. After three scoreless innings we went to extra innings.
Randolph would get a two out double for the Bobcats in the top of the eighth inning, but she was left stranded. After a Jasmine Hall fly out, Bella Henzler hit a single to put the go-ahead run on base for the Dukes. After a Butler pop out KK Mathis homered to left field to give the Dukes the win by the score of 3-1.
Next up for the Bobcats: They return home to face the Texas A&M Aggies (25-2 as of this writing) for one game on Wednesday, March 20.
Next up for the Dukes: They travel to College Park, Maryland to face Maryland for one game on Tuesday, March 19.
Game Notes
•Jessica Mullins fell to 13-3 and had 5 strikeouts and allowed 3 earned runs in 7.2 innings pitched.
•JJ Smith had 1 hit (double) and 1 RBI. Katarina Zarate had 2 hits (1 double), Piper Randolph (double), Anna Jones, and Hannah Earls each had 1 hit.
•The Bobcats lost for the second time this season when they scored first in the game. They are now 18-2 in such instances.
•The Bobcats fell to 2-6 this season in games where they score 2 or less runs. They are 20-0 when scoring 3 or more runs.
•The Dukes snapped the Bobcats 8 game win streak.
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