The University of Rhode Island’s softball team (5-7) split a four-game series at Norfolk State University this past weekend losing the opening two games 4-3 and 8-4, before winning the final two 3-2 and 9-6.
Rhode Island began their weekend series on a sour note. They started the opener well, after a Kylie Shivery home run in the top of the third inning lifted the Rams to a 3-1 lead. It did not last, however, as Norfolk State tied up the score in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs off of senior Rhode Island pitcher Caitlin Kennedy.
In the next inning Norfolk State’s Heather Dunning drew a walk, and eventually became the winning run following a passed ball and two wild pitches.
Rhode Island attempted to put the heartbreaker behind them in the second game of the doubleheader, but found themselves in a 3-0 deficit. Sophomore Allie Summers hit her first home run of the season to put the Rams on the board, but the Spartans increased their lead to 8-1 in the next few innings.
Rhode Island senior Taylor Archer hit a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning with what settled in as the final score of 8-4.
“We had a pair of tough losses in our first couple games, but we were able to come out on
Sunday and show what we’re capable of,†head coach Bridget Hurlman said.
Rhode Island was looking to respond on Sunday afternoon, hoping to salvage the weekend with a split.
Junior Jenna Cubello got Rhode Island on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning following an error by Norfolk State. Freshman pitcher Becca Rogers held Norfolk State hitless until the bottom of fourth inning when she allowed a two-run home run to Mikki Haury, making the score 2-1 in favor of the Spartans.
Kylie Shivery drove in the eventual game-winning runs in the top of the fifth inning on her first double of the season to give Rhode Island the 3-2 win. Rogers finished with her first complete game. Rogers finished with her first complete game.
In the final game of the weekend series, Shivery was the hero again, driving in Ali Summers with a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning, once again propelling her team to victory.
Shivery also hit a two-out, two-run home run in the seventh to tie the score at six and send the game into extra innings. Shivery’s second-day heroics of two homers and four RBIs led the Rams to the 9-6 win and a split of their weekend series.
Following Shivery’s exceptional weekend performance’s she was named Atlantic-10 Player of the Week.
“Kylie has really shown up and been big in big-time situations and that’s why her RBI numbers are what they are,†Hurlman said. “She’s worked really hard changing positions for us and has done a lot for this team, I’m happy she was able to be recognized for that.â€
Rhode Island will next travel to Lynchburg, Va. on Saturday to compete in the Liberty Softball classic where they will again face Norfolk State University and Sacred Heart University, Liberty University, and La Salle College.