The James I. Moyer Complex will be the site of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference softball tournament, beginning Friday with eight games beginning at noon.
The spotlight has shown bright on ODAC softball for several years but especially the past calendar year with Virginia Wesleyan University (39-1, 17-1 ODAC) capturing the 2017 NCAA Division III title. The Marlins have maintained their national top billing — along with three others receiving national recognition throughout the season — and occupy the number one position in the tournament as the nation’s top-ranked team for a second straight season.
Randolph-Macon College (37-3, 16-2), which joins VWU with more than 30 victories, is the only team to defeat the Marlins so far this season. The Yellow Jackets, ranked fourth by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), are the second seed in the conference postseason. Lynchburg College (28-10, 12–6), which at one point was ranked by the NFCA, and Roanoke College (24-16, 11-7) round out the top-four seeds.
The Maroons come into the tournament at 23-16 overall and 10-7 in the ODAC after sweeping Shenandoah in a doubleheader in Winchester last Sunday. RC won the first game, 14-2, then took the second, 4-3.
The Maroons blew the first game open with eight more runs in the top of the seventh off five hits and one Hornet error. Mattie Morris sparked the scoring with an RBI triple and Kate Priester drove in Morris in the next at-bat. Taylor Asimakopoulos and Briana Nardone hit back-to-back doubles to close out the scoring for a combined 3 RBI.
Bailey Perdue turned a triple play in the bottom of the seventh off a line drive to close out the contest. Emily Salsberry earned the win in the complete game performance allowing only two runs off six hits, including three innings where the Hornets were retired in order.
In the nightcap Teresa Wagner earned the win in the complete game pitching performance, allowing only three runs off four hits while striking out six. Ruthie Williams led the way at the plate, going 2-for-2 for the Maroons.
