MARION, N.C.— The Montreat softball team squared off against the Milligan University Buffaloes in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) rivalry doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Big League Camp in Marion, N.C. While the Cavaliers eventually dropped a narrow 8-6 decision in game two, an 11-7 victory in the opener pushed the hosts' record to 20-6 (5-5 AAC), handing them their first 20-win season since 2019.
Milligan (10-13, 8-8 AAC) opened game one with a run in the top of the first, but the Cavs responded in big fashion with an 8-run second inning. Nine Montreat batters reached safely to start the frame, four of which touched home plate on
Elizabeth Gergen's grand slam over the fence in left center.
Makenzie Ritchie's RBI fielder's choice concluded the scoring, and the home side maintained an 8-1 advantage through two.
The Buffaloes plated a trio of runs in the third and fifth innings, but Montreat answered in the bottom half of each frame to quell the visitors' momentum.
Jasmine Rachal drove in a run in each of those innings, and a double-steal attempt pushed across another in the fifth. As a result, the Cavaliers owned an 11-7 lead entering the sixth.
Victoria Alcantar captured her ninth win of the season by throwing 4 2/3 frames in the circle, and
Kendall Rubel secured the 11-7 triumph thanks to her second save. Rubel retired the final seven batters in her 2 1/3 innings of 1-hit softball.
Montreat's top three hitters in the lineup—
Amayia Hernandez (2-3), Rachal (3-3) and
Haley Fethke (2-4)—combined for seven of the hosts' 13 knocks. Gergen (2-3, 4 RBIs) also registered multiple hits, and both she and Rachal (2 RBIs) drove in several runs. Hernandez, Fethke and Gergen each scored twice in the win.
An RBI single put the away team up early in game two; however, the Cavs wasted no time flipping the scoreboard in their favor. Rachal leveled the contest via an RBI single, and back-to-back fielder's choices off the bats of
Makayla Reid and Ritchie put Montreat on top after one, 3-1.
Following a scoreless second frame, MU utilized a 5-spot in the top of the third to vault in front, 6-3. The Cavaliers did answer, though, thanks to Rachal's 2-run double in the fourth and Hernandez's sac fly in the sixth. Montreat's three consecutive runs ultimately tied the contest at 6-6 entering the ballgame's final inning.
Despite losing its advantage, the Buffaloes managed to bounce right back. A 2-run homer in the top of the seventh gave the visitors an 8-6 win to salvage a split in Marion.
Rachal (2-4),
Alanna Hernandez (2-4) and Gergen (2-3) teamed up for six of the Cavs' eight hits in game two. Hernandez led the squad with two runs scored, while Rachal paced all batters with three RBIs. In the circle,
Deanna Waddell tossed four innings as the starter before Rubel hurled the last three frames.
"I love our competitive spirit and the way we continued to battle in both games," said head coach Corbin Weeks. "If we continue to keep that energy and fight throughout the rest of our season, we'll have more exciting softball in store."
The Montreat softball team wraps up its 10-game homestand with a Good Friday twin bill versus the University of Pikeville Bears. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Roxy Hines Memorial Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C.
