BLUEFIELD, Va. — The Bryan College Lions left no doubt, run-ruling the Bluefield Rams in both games of a doubleheader. Bryan took Game 1 by a score of 9–1 and poured it on in Game 2 with a 14–5 victory, sweeping the day's action in commanding fashion.
Game 1: Lions Roll, 9–1
Bryan wasted no time setting the tone in the opener, scoring in four of their five innings against Bluefield starter Isabella Smith to trigger the run rule after five frames.
The Lions got on the board in the first inning when
Juliana Santillanes reached on an error, swiped second, and scored on a
Brooklyn Malone sacrifice fly. They blew the game open in the second, loading the bases before Malone delivered a two-out double to center that cleared them all — a three-RBI knock that pushed the lead to 4–0.
Chloe Dillow gave Bluefield life in the bottom of the second with a solo home run to left — her only hit in the contest — but the Rams never got closer. Bryan added two more runs in the fourth on a sacrifice fly from
Maddie Lee, who was also the winning pitcher, and closed out the scoring in the fifth with three more runs highlighted by a Santillanes RBI single.
Santillanes had herself a game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Malone was equally impressive, finishing 2-for-2 with five RBIs and three sacrifice flies across a remarkably efficient afternoon.
Lakyn Lockhart added a pair of hits and an RBI.
Lee earned the win in the circle, going the distance while allowing just one earned run on five hits, striking out four and walking none in a 87-pitch complete game.
For Bluefield, Smith took the loss, allowing nine runs — seven earned — on 12 hits over five innings.
Game 2: Lions Explode for 14, Complete the Sweep
If Game 1 was a statement, Game 2 was a declaration. Bryan erupted for 14 runs on 17 hits, once again ending things early via the run rule after six innings.
The Lions struck first in the opening frame, plating three runs capped by a
Karly Blackwell two-RBI single to center. Bryan kept pressing through the middle innings, scoring in each of the first five frames and building a 9–1 lead through four.
Maddie Lee delivered the dagger in the sixth, launching a three-run home run to left field that scored
Molly Robinson and
Britni Newbille to push the final to 14–5. It was the signature moment of what turned out to be a career day for the shortstop — Lee finished 4-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBIs, adding a home run to her résumé.
Lakyn Lockhart was equally relentless, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Blackwell chipped in with 2-for-4 and three RBIs, while
Kaycee Baldwin went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
KP Smith was excellent in the circle for Bryan, holding Bluefield to five runs — just one earned — over six innings, striking out eight and issuing three walks.
Bluefield's lone bright spot was again Dillow, who hit another home run and drew a pair of walks, accounting for two of the team's five runs.
With the sweep, Bryan improves to 12–10 overall and 4–2 in conference play.
