After earning a split of their first two games on Saturday, the Roanoke College softball team looked to add to the win column when they played Adrian and Ferrum on day two of the Mountain Mash Tournament last Sunday at Salem’s James I. Moyer Complex. A four-run top of the ninth propelled the Maroons to a second win over Adrian College in as many days, and in the tournament finale Roanoke mounted a three-run, bottom of the seventh, rally to beat the Panthers, 5-4.
Sunday’s opening game with Adian was tied 5-5 after seven innings. The top of the ninth would see Roanoke explode for four runs as Brooke Trapuzzano reached and advanced on an error plating Rebecca Hensley. Jada Karnes gave RC runners on the corners with a single leading to a Rachel Sirbaugh intentional walk to load the bases. After a second out, Janae Henry delivered a bases clearing triple. Adrian would close the gap with two in the bottom half, but the Maroons would record the final out on strikes to complete the 9-7 win.
Karnes was 2-4 at the plate and on the mound pitched all nine innings, giving up nine hits, three earned runs and eight strikeouts.
In the nightcap Jordyn DiFava singled and Karnes walked to set the table for the seventh inning rally. Makayla Austin doubled to left, tying the game at 4-4. After a line out, Gabby Fox hit a long drive to deep center for the game winning RBI.
Sirbaugh was 3-4 with Karnes going 2-3. Brianna Gerhardt came in relief of Fox and picked up the win going two innings while giving up just a pair of hits and one run.
With a 3-1 record the Maroons will go on the road to face Averett University on March 17.
