BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— Playing at Roxy Hines Memorial Softball Field for the first time in 2024, the Montreat softball team took on the Tennessee Wesleyan University Bulldogs Tuesday afternoon in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) twin bill. While the Cavaliers dropped an 8-0 5-inning ballgame in game two, their afternoon was highlighted by a walk-off 5-4 triumph in game one, which moved their season record to 17-5 (2-4 AAC).
In a tightly-contested opening battle, both teams traded runs through four consecutive half-innings.
Elizabeth Gergen plated game one's initial run via a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the second, but TWU rattled off four straight hits in the top of the third to claim a 2-1 edge.
The Cavs came right back to secure a 4-2 lead through three.
Haley Fethke evened the score at 2-2 with her RBI single to right center, and
Makayla Reid took the lead just two batters later on a 2-run double to left center.
Tennessee Wesleyan (8-7, 7-3 AAC) scored twice in the top of the fourth, tying the matchup at 4-4; however, that proved to be all the Bulldogs could muster in game one.
Victoria Alcantar ultimately struck out five during her 5 1/3 innings as the starter, and
Kendall Rubel finished up game one in the circle with 1 2/3 scoreless relief frames.
Amayia Hernandez set the table for Montreat to seize the walk-off victory in the seventh. A leadoff single up the middle followed by a steal of second base moved the Sterling, Ill. native into scoring position. Just two hitters later, Fethke lined a single into center field for the 5-4 AAC triumph.
Jasmine Rachal (3-3), Fethke (3-4) and Hernandez (2-4) combined for eight of the Cavaliers' 11 hits in the opener. Hernandez also scored twice, while both Fethke and Reid drove in a pair.
The Bulldogs got the better of Montreat in the second matchup, scoring seven runs in the third and one in the fourth to build an 8-0 advantage. Meanwhile, the Cavs failed to create much against TWU's starter, who allowed just two baserunners in what eventually became a 5-inning 8-0 win. Fethke notched the hosts' lone hit in game two, while Reid drew a walk.
"I'm really proud of how we battled during the opener against one of our conference's top teams," said head coach Corbin Weeks. "Tennessee Wesleyan has a lot of talent, and it was fun to win in the manner we did. That said, we know we still have a ways to go as we strive to play a high-level brand of softball consistently."
The Montreat softball team hosts St. Andrews University on Saturday for another home conference doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Big League Camp in Marion, N.C.
