MARION, N.C.— The Montreat softball team continued its opening weekend slate with a pair of nonconference matchups versus the Alice Lloyd College Eagles and the Bluefield State University Big Blue. Playing at Big League Camp in Marion, N.C., the Cavaliers run-ruled Alice Lloyd in five innings, 9-0, before dropping a six-inning contest to Bluefield State, 8-0. With the split, Montreat moved to 3-1 on the young season.
Rebecca Carson dazzled against the Eagles for the second straight day. The Lynnwood, Wash. native was perfect for 4 1/3 innings before allowing back-to-back singles in the top of the fifth. Ultimately, Carson improved to 2-0 with another two-hit shutout performance in the circle.
Offensively, Montreat racked up 12 hits against Alice Lloyd (0-4), including a pair of home runs that opened and closed the scoring account.
Fethke smoked a solo shot over the fence in right center to get the Cavs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. Following a few scoreless trips to the dish, the hosts utilized a pair of doubles in the fourth to extend their advantage.
Alanna Hernandez made it 2-0 on a rocket down the third base line, while
Amayia Hernandez pushed the score to 4-0 with a two-run extra-base hit to left center.
A five-spot in the fifth saw Montreat take the opener in walk-off fashion.
Maggie Knight plated a run on a double to center, while
Makenzie Ritchie came through with a pinch-hit RBI single just two batters later.
Alanna Hernandez called game shortly after with a three-run blast to left. As the ball sailed over the fence, the Cavaliers seized a 9-0 win in just five frames.
Knight went a perfect 3-for-3 in game one, while
Amayia Hernandez, Fethke and
Alanna Hernandez each batted 2-for-3.
Dayton Kell, Fethke and
Alanna Hernandez each scored twice, while
Alanna Hernandez and
Amayia Hernandez registered four RBIs and two RBIs, respectively.
Montreat was held to just three hits in its second matchup of the day.
Abigail Wyatt,
Elizabeth Gergen and
Hannah Henderson notched a base knock against Bluefield State (2-2), but the hosts were unable to plate any runs during the contest.
Carter Thornton struck out three consecutive batters as she started her outing with a perfect 2 2/3 innings pitched. The Big Blue started to assert themselves in the top of the fourth, though, as they picked up a double and a two-run homer in back-to-back plate appearances.
BSU drove in six runs in the sixth, and its pitching continued to keep the Cavs' bats quiet. As a result, Bluefield State took its turn at winning a run-shortened contest, 8-0.
Thornton racked up four punchouts across four frames, and
Deanna Waddell tossed a scoreless 2/3 innings.
Montreat resumes its 10-game homestand on Tuesday with a doubleheader against Mars Hill University. Game one's start time at Roxy Hines Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C. is yet to be announced.
