BUENA VISTA, Va. — The Southern Virginia University softball team dropped both games in its season opener to Randolph College, 12-5, and 13-6 at Harvey-Dryden Field Wednesday night.

Game 1

Leadoff hitter Emily McDaniel started the game with a walk in her first collegiate at-bat followed by a Caitlin Barber singled advancing McDaniel to second. A wild pitch moved both runners to second and third with freshman Sophia Badell coming to the plate. Badell laced a three-run shot over the center-field fence to give the Knights (0-2) an early 3-0 lead.

At the bottom of the second, Southern Virginia's Sydney Dolan started with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch on the next batter. Danielle Asche then hit a double moving Dolan to third and giving the Knights two in scoring position. Megan Daniels then grounded out to third but managed to score Dolan from third. Barber then picked up her second hit of the game, scoring Asche and building the lead to 5-0.

After a scoreless third inning, the Wildcats (2-0) went on a rally scoring seven runs over the next two innings to take their first lead of the game 7-5.

The Knights were able to get baserunners on each inning but could not score to cut into Randolph's lead. Then at the top of the seventh inning, the Wildcats tacked on five more runs to put away the game 12-5.

Southern Virginia tallied five hits in the first game led by Barber's two hits while Badell led with a game-high three RBIs.

Daniels was in the circle for the Knights throwing seven innings and picking up four Ks.

Braelyn Cooper picks up the win for the Wildcats going 5.2 innings, allowing three hits, two runs, three walks, and five punch outs.

Game 2

The Wildcats opened the game scoring four runs capitalizing on a pair of Southern Virginia errors. After being hit by a pitch, Daniels stole second and third bases and then took home following a passed ball with the Knights trailing 4-1.

Randolph tacked on one more in the second inning to lead now 5-1 with the Knights coming to bat. Freshman Kyla Nase singled to get some momentum for Southern Virginia. Dolan then reached on an error that advanced Nase to third. The following pitch was wild, allowing Nase to score from third and advance Dolan to scoring position. Melanie Peyton battled at the plate and drew a walk before moving to second on another passed ball that would allow Dolan to score. Daniels with one out and one in scoring position singled scoring Peyton bringing the Knights to within one, 5-4.

At the top of the third frame, the Wildcats capitalized on a passed ball that scored the lone run of the inning, extending the lead to 6-4.

The Knights responded battling at the plate, earning a total of four walks in the inning with McDaniel picking up an RBI collecting a walk with the bases loaded bringing them back to within one run, 6-5.

Errors mounted for Southern Virginia in the top of the fourth inning. The Wildcats scored six runs on three hits while the Knights defense accounted for four errors, Randolph ended the inning now leading 12-5.

Following a run in the top of the seventh for the Wildcats, Nase picked up her second hit of the game with a triple. Peyton two batters later, then grounded out to the shortstop but scored Nase from third. Randolph closed out the game grounding out the next batter to earn the 13-6 win.

The Knights collected four hits on the game with Nase posting a team-high two hits while Badell and Daniels recorded the other two hits.

Daniels was back on the mound for Southern Virginia throwing seven innings, allowing three earned runs and a strikeout. Abbi Pannill picks up her first win of the year for the Wildcats.

The Knights play next Thursday, Feb. 27, at Harvey-Dryden Field as they host Eastern Mennonite at 2 and 4 p.m.