The Riverland softball team knocked off the defending national champions and top ranked team in Division III at Cocoa Beach, Fla. Tuesday.

The Blue Devils (2-2 overall) edged out Thompkins-Cortland, which has seven returning starters from it’s national title team, 5-2 and RCC lost to the London Lightning of Ontario 5-3 in the nightcap.

Austin grad Autumn Jurgensen scattered seven hits in seven innings as she struck out two and allowed just one earned run in the win.

“They were kind of on a roll coming into this game, but Autumn threw strikes and she kept us in the game by making them put it in play,” RCC head coach Dan Swift said. “When she’s on, she showed we can compete with anyone in the country.”

RCC took the lead for good in the fifth inning when Thenedra Corey singled home Jessica Wilde.

In the loss to London, the Blue Devils played a lot of reserves to gain some experience.

RCC 5, Thompkins-Cortland 2

RCC pitching: Autumn Jurgensen (W), 7 IP, 7 H, 2BB, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 K

RCC hitting: Holly Waltz, 1-for-4, RBI, R; Jessica Wilde, 2-for-4, double, R; Laura Meyer, 3-for-4, R; Liz Triplett, 1-for-3, RBI, R, HBP; Chelsey Swanson, 2-for-4, double, RBI; Chelsey Waltz, 2-for-4, R, SB

London Lightning 5, RCC 3

RCC pitching: Elizabeth Hahn (L), 4 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 K; Anna Bereault, 2 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 ER

RCC hitting: Meyer, 1-for-3; Hahn, 1-for-2, RBI, R; Thenedra Corey, 1-for-3, RBI; Triplett, 1-for-3, double, RBI; Rachel Knopps, R; Mandy May, 1-for-2, R, SB