Softball sets new record with Sunday sweep

Ravens Softball swept a pair of wins from the Park University Pirates in Atchison Sunday afternoon.

The (22) Ravens started the day with a 12-1 win, then closed out the sweep with a 7-1 victory.

Game 1

The Ravens bats came alive in Sunday's opening game, slugging out a 12-1 win. The Ravens had 11 hits in the five-inning victory, including home runs by Clare Heitz and Rhiannon Martin.

The biggest inning came in the bottom of the second. Natalie Sheffield got things going with a single and was followed by a single by Kera Willoughby then Martin was hit by a pitch. Sheffield scored on a fielder's choice and Willoughby scored on a single by Kassidy James. Another fielder's choice scored Martin and Ryan Cooper scored on a sacrifice fly by Baylee Knorr. That setup the big shot, a 3-run homer by Heitz.

Martin added to the onslaught in the very next inning, hitting her own 3-run home run after Sheffield and Willoughby each singled again.

Sheffield was a perfect 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. Martin drove in 4 runs and Heitz had 3 RBIs.

The 12 runs were more than enough for the Ravens pitchers. Bailey Selvage started the game in the circle, giving up 1 run in 3 innings of work to earn her 17^th win of the season, which ties Shantel Straily for most single-season wins in Ravens program history. Lily SinghDhillon and Abby Pressgrove combined to pitch the final 2 innings to complete the win.

Game 2

The Ravens faced a 1-0 deficit heading into the fourth inning of Sunday's second game, but answered with a 5-run inning to take control of the game.

After singles by James and Pressgrove, Knorr lifted a high fly ball that was dropped by the Park outfielder to allow both runners to score. Heitz singled in Knorr. Riley Kennedy pinch ran for Heitz and after Strickland walked, both runners stole a base to move into scoring position. That paid off as Martin singled both home.

Martin also drove in the final 2 runs of the game, Sheffield and Alena Velilla, with a single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Martin finished the doubleheader with 8 RBIs.

Willoughby earned the start in the circle for the Ravens, pitching 5 innings and giving up 1 run to improve to 10-2 on the season. Lacey Foster pitched the final pair of innings, striking out 4 batters and earning her fourth save of the season.

With the win, the Ravens move to 35-7 on the season and set a new single-season wins program record, eclipsing the 2021 team's 34-win total.

Next up for the Ravens will be a road doubleheader Saturday, April 20 at (RV) Grand View University.