MARION, N.C.— The Montreat softball team took on the Carolina University Bruins in a doubleheader at Big League Camp in Marion on Thursday. The Cavaliers dropped a tight 4-3 decision in the initial competition before falling in the latter matchup 12-4 in five innings. With the defeats, the Cavs moved to 1-6 on the season.
 
In game one, both teams recorded two hits through two innings, but neither team could strike until the Bruins tallied a run in the top of the third to go up 1-0.
 
Montreat immediately answered in the bottom of the same frame as Isabella Colbert used a double and two errors to make her way around the bases and tie the contest at one. After Carolina scored on a first-pitch home run in the top of the fifth, the Cavaliers responded again, this time to take the lead. Following an Alyssa Hudson double, AJ Martin Aiken tripled to right center and came around to give the Cavs a 3-2 edge on a throwing error by the shortstop.
 
Though Montreat fought back to lead, CU tallied a pair of runs on four hits and two errors in the top of the seventh to notch a comeback win. Martin Aiken (2-4) and Katie Johnson each registered multiple hits in game one, while Candace Cooper pitched all seven innings, striking out three and giving up four runs.
 
In the second game, Carolina (5-7) picked up where the team left off in contest number one, plating a pair of runs in the top of the first. The Cavaliers answered with a run of their own as Martin Aiken stole two bases and scored on a throwing error by the catcher to cut the home team's deficit in half.
 
The Bruins, who put up crooked numbers in four of the five frames played in the latter competition, recorded six unanswered runs, using a grand slam in the second and two additional runs in the third to lead 8-1.
 
Montreat, who also scored in four of the five innings, recorded a run in the third on an RBI groundout from Johnson that plated Martin Aiken. Martin Aiken ended game two 2-for-3 with two runs scored. After an Abigail Christopher single, the Cavs pulled the score to 8-3 as Christopher came around on another Bruin miscue. Christopher (2-3) joined Martin Aiken as the only Cavaliers with multiple hits in the second game.
 
Carolina utilized a four-run fifth to put pressure on the Cavaliers, needing at least two runs to extend the game into the sixth. Leyna Gould singled in Cameryn Bass, and Montreat registered a trio of hits in the bottom of the fifth; however, the Cavs stranded two runners and ultimately fell by eight.
 
Softball returns to action tomorrow at Albany State for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.