The Basics
Score: #13 Roanoke 1 | #3 Virginia Wesleyan 14

Records: Maroons 14-5 / 0-1 ODAC | Captains 16-3 / 1-0 ODAC
Location: Salem, Va.

The Lead: After facing the #4 team in the nation yesterday, Roanoke played host to defending National Champion and #3 ranked Virginia Wesleyan on Sunday afternoon. The Maroons were down 4-1 heading into the seventh inning of the opening game, however, the Marlins would plate 10 runs to take game one, 14-1. Game two would see Roanoke lead 6-4 in the top of the seventh, Virginia Wesleyan would score three runs on two hits and two RC errors to take the lead and hold on for the sweep, 7-6.

Highlights:

• Virginia Wesleyan would take a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth. Roanoke would close the gap when Adriana Rivera walked and scored on a Madison Courts double to make it 4-1.
• The score would stay the same until the seventh inning. The Marlins would use seven hits and a pair of Roanoke miscues to send 10 runs across the plate to seal the win.
• Jada Karnes was saddled with her second loss of the season, giving up six earned runs on nine hits. The Roanoke bullpen could not slow the Marlin attack, allowing seven runs, all unearned, in the final half inning. Courts was 1-1 with Meri Bostic, Shanan Hester, and Makayla Austin each would go 1-3 in the opening game.

The Basics
Score: #13 Roanoke 6 | #3 Virginia Wesleyan 7

Records: Maroons 14-6 / 0-2 ODAC | Marlins 17-3 / 2-0 ODAC
Location: Salem, Va.

Highlights:

• VWU took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. In the bottom half, Hester reached on a fielder's choice ahead of a Courts Home Run to left and the Maroons had gotten to within a run.
• Down 4-2, Roanoke would use a Katelyn Craghead base hit to start a rally. Lauryn Chappell reached on an error but after a fielder's choice, there were two outs. Bostic singled to left to plate Craghead. On a wild pitch, Chappell scored with Clark and Bostic moving up a base. A Rivera RBI made it 5-4, Maroons. Rivera stole second while Bostic scored on the throw and Roanoke would be in front 6-4.
• The Maroons held the 6-4 lead into the seventh inning. However, an error and base hit would put a pair of Marlins on and before Roanoke could close out the game, Va. Wesleyan had scored three runs to take a 7-6 advantage. In the bottom half, Lilly Burns drew a two-out base on balls but the Maroons couldn't tie the game and fell to the defending champs, 7-6.
• Rivera was 2-4 for an RBI and stolen base. Craghead, Courts, and Morgan Clark combined to go 3-9 with three runs and a pair of RBI.

Up next: Roanoke will step out of conference to host Averett University on Wednesday afternoon. The first pitch of the double header with the Cougars is scheduled for 3:00pm.