Softball | 5/3/2025 7:13:48 PM
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.V.- It's hard to beat a team that rarely surrenders a run.
Just ask anyone that's played the Rio Grande RedStorm in the past two weeks.
The RedStorm gave up just two runs in three games at the 2025 River States Conference Softball Tournament, culminating in a 1-0 victory over Oakland City to win the program's second consecutive conference tournament title. Including the conference tournament, the RedStorm have won eleven consecutive contests, allowing just seven runs in that span.
In the championship game, Oakland City threatened first against Conference Player and Pitcher of the Year Madi Ogden, putting runners on second and third with one out after a Hallie McCracken single, a Gabbie Countryman walk, and a wild pitch. However, Ogden worked out of the jam, getting a strikeout for the second out before inducing a flyout to keep the game scoreless.
After getting out of the jam in the top half, the RedStorm got their lone run in the bottom half courtesy of an Oakland City error. Kayla Sedgwick led off the inning with a single, and Maddie Engler followed with a bunt single to put runners on first and second. Ogden then hit a grounder to the second baseman, with Engler thrown out at second. However, the ensuing throw was errant, allowing pinch runner Emily Lane to score what would prove to be the game's lone run.
From there, the RedStorm shut down the Mighty Oaks, allowing just one hit in the final four innings - a single from Emma Williams, who accounted for two of Oakland City's three hits, in the fourth inning. Ogden finished off yet another complete game shutout in the seventh, striking out two batters before a groundout to second baseman Lindzie Runions officially punched Rio Grande's ticket back to the national tournament.
Ogden struck out ten hitters in the championship game, surrendering four baserunners on three hits and one walk. Her counterpart, Paige McDaniel, did everything she could to keep the Mighty Oaks in the contest, allowing just one run across her six innings of work.
Earlier in the tournament, Rio Grande defeated Shawnee State in their first contest, then defeated Oakland City to take the first spot in the championship round. Oakland City defeated IU Columbus in Thursday's opening round, knocked off second-seeded IU Southeast, then defeated IU Columbus for a second time to get a second chance at Rio Grande.
The RedStorm will be the River States Conference representative in the 2025 NAIA Softball National Championship. The RedStorm will learn their destination and opening opponent on Wednesday, when the NAIA announces the field. The Opening Round, located in ten host sites around the nation, is scheduled for May 12-15, with the NAIA Softball World Series scheduled for May 22-28 in Columbus, Georgia.