Monroe, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team opened their 2024 NCAA Tournament with a 10-2 win over Lander as Kaylan Brown hit a RBI double in the 6th inning to end the game via the mercy rule. Julia Mardigian and Lora Beth Wood hit homeruns while Madison Wilson picked up another victory in the circle. The Bears will face Wingate for the 5th time this season Friday morning.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game Final: No. 22 Lenoir-Rhyne 10, Lander 2 (6 Inns.)
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (46-14), Lander (32-17)
Game Location: Monroe N.C.
STATS AND INFO:
- This game was moved to Union Academy in Monroe, N.C. after the weather forced the game to moved from Wingate.
- This was Lander's first ever game in a NCAA Tournament while it was the Bears 55th.
- Bears are now 25-30 in NCAA Tournament.
- Mardigian entered the game second in the NCAA in doubles this season.
GAME INFO:
- Lander jumped on the Bears early with two quick runs in the top of the 1st.
- Bears responded in the bottom half as Mardigian hit a solo homerun and Lauren Rakes hit a two-run double as the Bears took a 3-2 lead after one inning and never looked back as LR scored the last ten runs in this one.
- Wood then crushed a solo homerun in the bottom of the 3rd to extended the lead to 4-2.
- Bears then continued the offense attack adding three more runs in the 3rd to take a commanding 7-2 lead.
- Rakes added her 3rd and 4th RBI with a single in the bottom of the 4th.
- Then Brown called game with a RBI double in the 6th inning as LR cruised to a 10-2 win.
- Wilson settled down after the first inning as Wilson did not allow another run after the first.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Bears had 13 hits in the game as 6-9 hitters had 9 of the 13 hits lead by three from Wood.
- Wood, Rakes, Brown, and Katelyn Rackard each had multi-hit games.
- Wilson is 4-0 this postseason after the win tonight.
UP NEXT: Bears will have a short turnaround as LR will play the host Bulldogs at 10:30 on Friday.
