COCHRAN, Ga.— The Montreat softball team continued its streak of non-conference games played in the state of Georgia to start the 2023 season Saturday afternoon. Facing off against the Middle Georgia State University Knights in Cochran, Ga., the Cavaliers dropped a pair of contests, falling in five innings in game one, 9-1, before being shutout in game two, 7-0. With the defeat, the Cavs moved to 3-5 on the young season.
Middle Georgia State (10-2) started off game one on a strong note. The Knights registered two of their five sacrifice flies in the initial frame, and they came back with a solo home run in the second to build an early 3-0 edge.
The Cavaliers capitalized on an MGSU miscue in the top of the third.
Cameryn Bass reached base safely thanks to a 2-base error, and
Coleena Selleck drove her home with a single; however, the Knights got that run back in the bottom of the frame via another sac fly.
After Montreat came up hitless in the fourth, Middle Georgia State blew the game open in the home half of the inning. Thanks to an RBI single, a pair of sacrifice flies and a steal of home plate, the Knights surged ahead of the Cavs, 8-1. Then, in the fifth frame, an MGSU RBI double finished off the contest in the hosts' favor, 9-1.
Five of the Cavaliers' six hits came from the top four hitters, and Selleck (2-3) notched two of those knocks to go along with her RBI.
Like they did in game one, the Knights started game two off with a multiple-run lead. Following a run-producing wild pitch, a pair of 2-RBI hits vaulted Middle Georgia State out to a 5-0 lead.
Alexa Chandler drew a walk, and
Kylie Granger notched a base hit to put two Montreat runners aboard in the second inning; however, a fielder's choice and a strikeout ended the rally. Meanwhile, the Knights tacked on another run in the bottom half of the frame thanks to their sixth sacrifice fly of the day.
The Cavaliers placed two runners on base in both the fourth and sixth innings as well, with the latter featuring singles by
Leyna Gould and Chandler. Unfortunately for Montreat fans, both scoring chances came up empty. On the other side, Middle Georgia State pushed one more run across home in the fifth on an error to seal its 7-0 victory and doubleheader sweep.
Granger (2-3) totaled two of the Cavs' five hits, and
Alyssa Hudson drew a pair of walks.
Deanna Waddell threw a 6-inning complete game while allowing three earned runs.
The Montreat softball team hosts Shawnee State University Sunday afternoon for the start of a 3-game set that was recently added to the schedule. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.
