MELBOURNE, Fla.— The Montreat softball team continued its spring break trip in Florida with a pair of matchups at the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Spring Games in Melbourne, Fla. on Tuesday. With a 4-1 defeat to IU South Bend and a 3-2 loss to Hannibal-LaGrange, the Cavs dropped to a 5-20 record on the 2023 season.
 
In the first of two contests, the Cavaliers faced Indiana University South Bend. Montreat notched runners in several innings; however, the Cavs hit into double plays in three consecutive frames from the fourth through sixth innings to remain scoreless.
 
IU South Bend (4-10) notched a run in the sixth to lead 1-0 before plating a trio of insurance runs with two outs in the top of the seventh to go up 4-0. The extra tallies proved vital as Montreat ended its 27-inning scoreless streak when Sarah Edge brought Alyssa Hudson around. Despite the run, the Cavaliers ultimately fell by three.
 
Hannibal-LaGrange (6-10) registered one run in the top of the first of the Cavs' second matchup of the day. Although the team faced an early deficit, three base hits and a throwing error resulted in a tie game through three innings.
 
The Trojans responded in the top of the fourth frame to lead 2-1, but Deanna Waddell stranded the bases loaded to keep Montreat within a run heading into the latter portion of the contest. After the initial two batters reached in the bottom of the sixth, stolen bases and a sacrifice fly by Katie Johnson knotted the competition at two with one inning to play. A throwing error in the seventh eventually awarded HLU a 3-2 advantage, one the visiting team would cling to over the last three outs to hand the Cavaliers their 11^th consecutive loss.
 
No official statistics had been recorded as of March 14.
 
Softball continues its stretch of games in Florida with a doubleheader at Edward Waters College on Wednesday. First pitch of game one in Jacksonville is slated for 2:00 p.m.