The DH Facts:
Scores: No. 7 Randolph-Macon 1, Roanoke 0; Roanoke 5, No. 7 Randolph-Macon 1
Location: Troutville, Va. (Botetourt Sports Complex)

The Short story: The Roanoke College softball team split an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) doubleheader with Randolph-Macon College Wednesday, the No. 7 team in NCAA Division III, dropping the first game 1-0 but winning the second 5-1.

The Maroons were one hit away from taking both ends of the twin bill and doubling the loss total for the Yellow Jackets for the 2024 season, now 27-3-2 overall and 18-2 in the ODAC.

How it happened (Game 1):
*Game one featured incredible pitching performances from both starters. Reigning ODAC Pitcher of the Year Gracie Ellis struck out 16 for Randolph-Macon on her way to a two-hit complete game shutout victory with one walk. Roanoke junior Maggie McCray was nearly her equal, allowing just three hits, two walks and one run while striking out 10.

*Roanoke threatened with two on and one out in the third, but Ellis struck out the next two hitters to get out of the jam.

*R-MC's Rilee Baughan delivered a two-out single in the sixth to break the scoreless tie.

*Kate Houle ripped a one-out double to left center with one out in the seventh, but was left stranded as Ellis struck out the final two batters.

How it happened (Game 2)
*Roanoke took advantage of a Yellow Jacket error in the first to score a run, and Madison Courts followed with an RBI single to give the Maroons a 2-0 lead.
*R-MC cut the lead to one with a run in the fourth, but Molly Epperson's RBI single in the fifth again gave the Maroons a two-run edge.
*Houle and Courts blasted solo home runs in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 5-1.

Inside the numbers (Game 2):
*Lindsay Gedro earned the complete-game victory, giving up six hits, no walks and one earned run with five strikeouts.
*Courts finished 2-3 and Houle also drew a walk and scored twice.
*Jordan Brown was 3-3 for Randolph-Macon.

Up Next:
*The Maroons (24-12/14-6) host Guilford College Saturday in an ODAC doubleheader at 1 p.m. at the Botetourt Sports Complex in the final regular-season games of the 2024 season.