Joshua Strikes Out Nine, Hits RBI-Double In Season Opener At Lane

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Rust College softball program saw one of their newcomers shine brightly in the face of a worthy adversary, falling to NCAA Division II's Lane College in its opening doubleheader, 9-0 and 13-3 in five innings apiece.

The Basics:

• Score (Game 1)
• • Lane – 9
  • Rust – 0

• Score (Game 2)
• • Lane – 13
  • Rust – 3

• Records
• • Rust (0-2, 0-0 Gulf Coast)
  • Lane (5-1, 0-0 SIAC)

• Location
• • Jackson, Tennessee – West Tennessee Sportsplex

• Series History (Since 2011)
• • Lane Leads 23-0 (0%)

• Winning Streak (Since 2011)
• • Lane (W23) | Rust's Last Win: N/A

Rust Top Performers:

• Leona Joshua was a dual-threat for Coach Vivians, sitting down nine Dragons hitters over just four full innings while crushing an RBI-double before scoring, all of which happened in game two.

• Anijah Gray was the other multi-faceted weapon, hitting a single at the dish in the nightcap and striking out five in the circle as the opening day starting pitcher in addition to being one of only two baserunners in the shutout setback on a free pass.

• Taliyah Griffin was the only thing standing between LC and a no-hitter, lacing a two-out single back up the middle in the third to break up the zero and then promptly swiped second base.

• Amya Sampson might have been the most impressive batter for the Lady Bearcats, going 2-for-3 (.667) with a ribbie and a run scored in the finale.

• Right behind her on the meter would most likely be Haley Weatherspoon, who similar to Sampson, went 2-of-3 in the second matchup on top of also scoring.

• The final offensive contributor was Roniyah Campbell as the shortstop / backstop poked through a base knock.

Next:

• Another SIAC opponent, the Miles Golden Bears, are on the schedule exactly one week later at 2 and 4 p.m. over in the Yellowhammer State.