MARION, N.C.— The Montreat softball team continued its season-opening homestand Friday afternoon with a pair of nonconference contests against the Indiana University Columbus Crimson Pride. Playing at Big League Camp in Marion, N.C, the Cavaliers seized a pair of run-rule triumphs, 11-3 and 15-1. With the wins, Montreat climbed to 5-1 on the year.
 
Rebecca Carson dominated in the circle through her first three innings of game one. The Lynnwood, Wash. native was perfect for 2 1/3 frames, and she kept the Crimson Tide scoreless until the fourth.
 
Haley Fethke put the Cavs in front during the bottom of the third via a two-run single through the left side; however, IU Columbus (0-2) answered with a two-run shot during the ensuing half inning. The visitors then notched an RBI double in the fifth as they claimed a 3-2 edge on the scoreboard.
 
Montreat flipped the switch and blew the game wide open when it came to the plate in the fifth. A four-run fifth followed by a five-spot in the sixth ended the opening matchup early in favor of the home side, 11-3. Four of the Cavaliers' final nine runs occurred thanks to bases-loaded walks.
 
Carson improved to 3-0 as a starter, striking out three across her five innings of work. Victoria Alcantar registered her second save of the season with a scoreless sixth frame. At the plate, Amayia Hernandez, Abigail Wyatt and Fethke each recorded two hits. Fethke led the squad with four RBIs in game one.
 
Picking up where they left off, the hosts scored five runs to kick off the second contest. Hernandez launched a leadoff blast before Fethke clobbered her second homer of the day, a two-run shot. Jasmine Rachal added a third home run later in the frame, while Hernandez tallied another RBI via a bases loaded hit-by-pitch.
 
Maggie Knight and Alcantar extended the Cavs' advantage up to 9-0 with back-to-back two-run knocks in the third. A six-run fourth then all but put the game out of reach as Montreat vaulted itself to a 15-0 advantage.
 
Fifteen runs of offense proved to be more than enough for the hosts' pitching. Carter Thornton captured her second win of the season by tossing three shutout frames. The California State University, Bakersfield transfer surrendered just two hits while punching out a pair. Jaidyn Stephens logged a scoreless inning as well, while Deanna Waddell closed out the contest in the circle.
 
Hernandez, Wyatt, Maya Moro and Dayton Kell racked up two hits each. Six different Cavaliers accumulated two RBIs, while Hernandez, Wyatt and Kell each scored twice. In total, 11 Cavs combined for 15 hits.
 
Due to a potential break in the rain late tomorrow afternoon, Montreat and IU Columbus hope to play two additional games on Saturday. First pitch is tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m. at Big League Camp in Marion, N.C.