Written by Sean Dahlin 

ASHLAND, Va.—Although freshman left fielder Chance Hegsted (Rupert, Idaho) recorded 3-of-4 base hits at the plate, the Southern Virginia University softball team lost 3-1 on Tuesday in the 2013 season finale at Randolph-Macon College.       

"Today's game was played well on both sides, and our team gave a great effort in the last competition of the year against a solid opponent," said third-year Head Coach Duste Grawrock. "We unfortunately didn't win, but I'm proud of everybody's contribution to an enjoyable season."

Southern Virginia (10-20) and Randolph-Macon (30-6) were both held scoreless through four complete until senior first baseman Malia Falevai (Mesa, Ariz.) was walked to start the top of the fourth before fellow senior Laura Tome (Pasco, Wash.) hit in Falevai for the first run of the game on a single to center field.

The Yellow Jackets evened the score 1-1 in the bottom half of the inning as Christa Simon crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly to left field by Madison Gilman.

After the Knights were shut out in the top of the fifth, despite a leadoff single from Cha. Hegsted, Randolph-Macon's Lacey Berry registered an RBI-single for the lead followed by a run-scoring triple from Simon on route to the victory.

Southern Virginia had runners in scoring position in the first, second and fifth innings but was unable to capitalize on the opportunities.  

Outside of Cha. Hegsted's three base knocks, sophomores Annie Biggs (Gilbert, Ariz.) and Sarah Edwards (Phoenix, Ariz.) along with freshman Cheyenne Hegsted (Rupert, Idaho) and Tome each went 1-for-3 respectively.

The Yellow Jackets' Heather Lewis (17-3) earned the win allowing one run on seven hits through 7.0 innings. Senior Knights starter McKenzy Mackay (Kaysville, Utah)—who finished the season with a team-high 109.2 innings-pitched and 13 complete games—was handed the loss after going the distance while allowing two earned runs on five hits in a solid performance in the circle.

"Malia [Falevai], McKenzy [Mackay], Dinah [Rogers] and Laura [Tome] were significant contributors to our program's success this year and throughout their careers," said Grawrock. "They were all great examples of leader-servants and will be missed."

Seniors Falevai, Mackay, Rogers and Tome each participated in their final contest Tuesday afternoon for Southern Virginia.

Throughout her three years, co-captain Mackay ended her decorated career ranking first in program history in career strikeouts (295), complete games (39), innings pitched (317.2) and games started (52).

As the lone fourth-year senior and co-captain, Tome is first in career games played (100), games started (93) and defensive putouts (334).  

Senior shortstop Rogers had a stellar two-year career, including being named 2012 USCAA Honorable Mention All-American while ranking second in career assists (87) and fifth in stolen bases (8).

In her only year as a Knight, Falevai ended the season leading the squad in batting average (.433), slugging percentage (.687) and on-base percentage (.525).