MARION, N.C.— The Montreat softball team opened a 10-game homestand Saturday afternoon when it hosted the Kentucky Christian University Knights for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader at Big League Camp in Marion, N.C. While the visitors took the first matchup, 4-0, the Cavaliers bounced back in game two to collect their first AAC triumph of the year, 4-3. Following the doubleheader split, Montreat's record moved to 16-4 overall and 1-3 in conference action.
Kentucky Christian (7-15, 5-7 AAC) took game one over the hosts thanks to a pair of 2-run innings and a strong performance in the pitcher's circle. The Knights utilized three consecutive 2-out hits, including a 2-RBI double, to claim a 2-0 lead before the Cavs came to bat in the first. KCU also plated a pair in the top of the fifth via a single up the middle.
Montreat mustered four hits at the dish in the opener, led by
Dayton Kell's 2-for-3 effort.
Amayia Hernandez and
Jasmine Rachal each accrued a knock at the plate, but the home team couldn't push a run across as Kentucky Christian seized the first matchup, 4-0.
Victoria Alcantar struck out four batters in her five innings of work in the circle, while
Kendall Rubel punched out three hitters as she tossed a pair of shutout frames out of the bullpen.
In game two, the Cavaliers took their turn scoring the initial four runs of the ballgame. Following a scoreless first,
Hannah Henderson drew a bases-loaded walk, and Hernandez chopped an RBI single to short for a 2-0 lead through two. Kell wrapped up the scoring for the hosts with a crucial 2-out, 2-RBI single to left field in the bottom of the fifth.
Deanna Waddell proved nearly unhittable through six innings, allowing just three knocks while striking out four. KCU finally broke through against Waddell with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh, but Rubel managed to surrender just a single run and strand two Knights in scoring position. As a result, Waddell improved to 8-1 in the circle, and Rubel picked up her first save by closing out the 4-3 win.
Six different Cavs tallied a hit in game two, led once again by Kell's 2-for-3 showing. Kell drove in two of Montreat's four runs, and
Makayla Reid scored twice in the victory.
The Montreat softball team continues its homestand on Tuesday with a conference doubleheader versus Tennessee Wesleyan University. First pitch of game one is slated for 3 p.m. at Roxy Hines Memorial Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C.
