DAYTON, Tenn.— Playing its penultimate road doubleheader of the regular season, the Montreat softball team traveled to Dayton, Tenn. on Wednesday for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) showdown versus the Bryan College Lions. After dropping the initial clash, 6-3, the Cavaliers rebounded with a resounding 8-1 victory in game two. With the split, Montreat moved to 25-13 overall and 13-7 in AAC play. The 13 conference victories match the program's most in a single season since 2005.
The Cavs opened the day by swiftly seizing a 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard.
Elizabeth Gergen roped a two-run single to left before Bryan (20-10, 13-5 AAC) had a chance to bat in game one. The Lions managed to produce an answer, though, notching a two-run double to level the contest in the bottom of the second.
Amayia Hernandez led off the top of the third with a double. The Sterling, Ill. native later stole third base and forced an errant throw from the BC catcher. As a result, Hernandez trotted home, and the Cavaliers reclaimed the edge, 3-2.
Bryan delivered game one's biggest swing during the fifth frame. With the bases loaded and nobody out, the hosts smacked a grand slam to suddenly claim their first lead of the day, 6-3. From there, the Lions managed to limit Montreat to just one baserunner across the final two innings. With the last out in hand, BC wrapped up a three-run triumph.
Abigail Wyatt and Hernandez each recorded a pair of hits during the initial matchup. Hernandez also scored twice and was hit by a pitch, while Gergen drove in two teammates.
Maggie Knight reached base safely three times thanks to a pair of walks and one hit-by-pitch.
Rebecca Carson threw four frames, striking out a pair in her start while allowing four runs, three of which were earned.
Victoria Alcantar surrendered two runs in an inning of relief, and
Mykenzie Flores tossed a scoreless bottom of the sixth.
A pair of Cavs did the heavy lifting in leading the visitors to an 8-1 win in game two.
Carter Thornton dazzled inside the pitcher's circle, hurling her second complete game of 2025. The Downey, Idaho native was perfect through two innings, and the Lions couldn't push a run across until the game was out of reach. Thornton ultimately gave up six hits and one run while striking out two during her eighth win of the season.
Offensively, Hernandez racked up seven RBIs for the second time this year. Wyatt's two-out RBI single opened the scoring in the top of the second, and Hernandez did the rest. The senior also registered a two-out, run-producing knock in the second before launching a two-run blast in the fourth and a grand slam in the sixth. Hernandez now has 10 home runs on the campaign, most among AAC batters and tied for ninth-most in the NAIA.
Between Thornton's and Hernandez's brilliance, Montreat cruised to an 8-1 road victory and its 13
th league triumph of the year.
Hernandez (4-5), Wyatt (2-4) and Gergen (2-4) accumulated multiple hits during game two. Both Hernandez and Wyatt scored twice, while four different Cavaliers drew a walk.
Montreat returns to Roxy Hines Softball Field on Saturday for a senior day doubleheader against the Columbia International University Rams. First pitch in Black Mountain, N.C. is slated for 12 p.m., while the senior day festivities are currently scheduled to occur after the twin bill.
