JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— The Montreat softball team concluded its 6-game spring-break slate in the state of Florida with a doubleheader against the Edward Waters University Tigers Wednesday afternoon. Facing an NCAA Division II opponent, the Cavaliers ultimately dropped both matchups via 6-1 and 10-3 final scores. With the defeats, Montreat softball fell to 5-22 on the season.
Katie Johnson notched the Cavs' initial hit of game one with a 2-out single in the top of the second, but the Eustis, Fla. native couldn't advance any further as the following hitter was retired. Meanwhile, the hosts loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning, and a clutch 2-out base knock scored a pair to put the Tigers ahead, 2-0.
Edward Waters (19-4) added to its lead with a solo shot in the bottom of the third, and a sacrifice fly in the fourth pushed the hosts out to a 4-0 edge over the Cavaliers.
Montreat scored its first run of the afternoon in the top of the fifth thanks to
Bella Colbert's RBI single to left center; however, the Tigers quickly answered with a run-producing double in the next half-inning as they re-established their 4-run lead in the process (5-1).
An error helped Edward Waters score for the fifth consecutive inning in the sixth, and the hosts pitched around a 2-out single by Johnson in the seventh to seal their 6-1 win.
Johnson totaled two of the Cavs' four hits in game one, while Colbert plated Montreat's lone run.
Kendall Rubel,
Deanna Waddell and
Kyann Lyne combined for six innings in the pitcher's circle.
EWU picked up right where it left off by manufacturing a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to start game two. The Tigers utilized a single, a hit-by-pitch, a passed ball and an RBI groundout to seize a 2-0 lead through one frame.
The first five Cavaliers reached base safely in the top of the third, setting up a 3-run inning for the visitors. A fielding error coupled with a pair of walks set the table for back-to-back run-producing hits.
Alara Cashwell tied the game at two with an RBI double to center, and
Taylor Yonke handed the Cavs their initial lead of the day at 3-2 thanks to an RBI single.
Maddox Pleasants held the Tigers mostly at bay through the first three frames, allowing just a single earned run on one hit; however, the first three Edward Waters batters reached safely in the bottom of the fourth, and an RBI single paired with a Montreat error put the hosts back in front by a run, 4-3.
After sending the Cavaliers down in order in the top of the fifth, EWU pieced together a big inning by tallying six runs on six hits as it expanded its advantage out to 10-3.
Kylie Granger kept Montreat alive momentarily with a 2-out walk in the seventh, but the Tigers registered a strikeout to finish off the Cavs and take the finale, 10-3.
Three different Cavaliers recorded a hit in game two, while
Jasmine Rachal reached base twice thanks to a pair of walks.
Leah Coffing pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief, surrendering just one hit while striking out one batter.
The Montreat softball team returns to campus on Saturday for its first home Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series of the season. First pitch of the AAC doubleheader between the Cavaliers and the Point University Skyhawks is set for 2:00 p.m. in Black Mountain, N.C.
