BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat College softball team took part in a doubleheader against the Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Wildcats on Friday. The Cavaliers came away with two wins on the day after two tightly played games. The Cavs took game one with a final score of 3-2 and came out on top in game two in walk-off fashion, 8-7. As a result of the contests, Montreat improved to 5-3 on the year, while JWU Charlotte slid to 1-3 overall.
Scoring came early for the Cavaliers in game one. In the first inning, Abigail Wyatt doubled to left center and later stole third base. Jasmine Rachal drove Wyatt home with a single to right field, putting the Cavs on the board 1-0.
The home continued to tack on some more in the second inning. Nevaeh Rivera doubled to left field and advanced to third on a passed ball. Mykenzie Flores walked and stole second, setting the stage for Sarah Forbes, who delivered a double to right field, scoring both Rivera and Flores. Montreat extended its lead to 3-0 by the end of the frame.
The Wildcats put pressure on the Cavaliers in the third inning, scoring two runs aided by an error, narrowing the gap. The inning closed with the Cavs still leading 3-2.
The remaining frames saw effective defense and pitching from Montreat, keeping the Wildcats scoreless. Lauryn Bishop and Gabby Burkhart provided crucial relief pitching in the fifth through seventh innings, securing the 3-2 win for the Cavaliers.
Flores got the start in the circle, pitching four frames and picking up the win. She allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out four and walking three. Bishop contributed a pair of innings in relief, surrendering only one hit and recording three strikeouts. Burkhart closed the game with an inning, yielding one hit and striking out one to earn her first save. The combined efforts of the pitchers limited Johnson & Wales to five hits and two runs over seven complete frames.
Wyatt contributed with two hits, including a double, and scored one run while also stealing a base. Rachal added an RBI with one hit in the game, providing a key offensive contribution. Forbes recorded two hits, including a crucial double, and drove in two runs to bolster the team's scoring efforts.
Game two began with both teams scoring in the first. The Wildcats got on the board with an RBI single, while Rachal doubled in Nadilyn Eason, tying the score at 1-1.
In the second inning, JWU Charlotte took a 4-1 lead, capitalizing on a double and a throwing error that allowed two more runs to score.
The Cavaliers answered back strongly in the bottom half of the third. Rachal reached on an error and eventually scored on another throwing error. Rivera touched home plate on a wild pitch and obstruction, while Addison Staton doubled to drive in Jaidyn Stephens. Another error allowed Staton to score, putting the Cavs ahead 5-4.
The Wildcats tied it back up in the fourth inning, but Montreat regained the lead in the fifth when Rachal doubled home Aaliyah Penalber, making it 6-5.
The sixth frame was scoreless for both teams, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Johnson & Wales scored two unearned runs on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, taking a 7-6 lead. However, the Cavaliers responded in their half of the seventh inning. Wyatt tripled to lead off the frame and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rachal. Isabella Martinez then singled to bring in Penalber, securing an 8-7 walk-off victory for Montreat.
Stephens got the start, pitching five innings, allowing six hits and one earned run while punching out four batters and walking two. Burkhart came in for relief for the second time on the day, pitching two innings with two strikeouts. The Knoxville, Tenn. native surrendered one hit and no earned runs to pick up the win.
Rachal had a huge day at the plate, as she tallied three hits, including two doubles, and drove in three runs. Staton notched two knocks, one of which was a double, and added an RBI. Penalber picked up a pair of hits, while also scoring two runs. Martinez rounded out the offense with a hit and an RBI.
In its next game, Montreat will kick off Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play by traveling to Waleska, Ga. to face No. 15 Reinhardt University. First pitch on Tuesday, Feb. 24 is scheduled for at 2 p.m.
