WALESKA, Ga.— The Montreat College softball team kicked off Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Tuesday, going on the road to take on the No. 15-ranked Reinhardt University Eagles in a doubleheader. The Cavaliers split the series, coming up short in game one by a final score of 4-1, but coming out on top in game two with a score of 11-5. As a result, the Cavs' record moved to 6-4 (1-1 AAC), while Reinhardt possesses a 3-1 (1-1 AAC) record.
The visitors wasted no time jumping out to an early lead.
Abigail Wyatt was hit by a pitch to start the first inning and later scored on a single to center field by
Jasmine Rachal, giving Montreat a 1-0 edge to start the game.
Reinhardt responded in the third with a trio of runs. After two singles and a walk loaded the bases, a sacrifice fly brought in the first run. That was followed by a single that drove in two more, putting the Eagles ahead 3-1 through three.
In the fourth inning, RU extended its lead. An error allowed an Eagle to reach base, and that runner then scored on a subsequent single, making the score 4-1 in favor of the hosts by the end of the fourth frame.
The game concluded with both teams holding each other scoreless down the stretch. Reinhardt clung to its 4-1 lead, securing the victory.
Mykenzie Flores pitched a complete game, going six innings for the Cavaliers. Flores allowed eight hits and four runs, three of which were earned, while striking out two batters and issuing four walks.
Rachal contributed with one hit and the lone RBI for the Cavs.
Aaliyah Penalber added one base knock and tallied three assists from the shortstop position.
Nadilyn Eason recorded a hit and had one putout from left field.
Game two began with an explosive first inning. Penalber started the action with a base hit and later scored on a single from Wyatt. Eason and
Isabella Martinez each hit doubles, with Martinez driving in two runs.
Addison Staton added an RBI single to bring the total to four runs for Montreat. Reinhardt responded with four runs of its own using some timely hitting, leveling the score at 4-4 after one frame.
The Cavaliers made sure the game didn't stay tied for long. Penalber reached on an infield single and was later driven in by Eason, putting the visitors ahead 5-4 after two frames.
Following a quiet third and fourth, the fifth inning saw Montreat further its advantage. Staton delivered again, this time with a 2-RBI single, scoring Martinez and Rachal. RU managed one run in response, bringing the score to 7-5 in favor of the Cavs.
In the sixth inning, the Cavaliers added on even more insurance. Martinez had the big hit, coming through with a bases-clearing double, scoring Rachal, Wyatt and
Hannah Henderson.
Nevaeh Rivera capped off the frame with her own extra-base hit, bringing in Martinez. Montreat ultimately finished the contest on top, 11-5. The win over No. 15 Reinhardt marked the Cavs' best ranked win since beating No. 11 Lindsey Wilson College on March 13, 2018.
Gabby Burkhart pitched a complete game, picking up her third win of the season. She allowed five earned runs on ten hits. Burkhart faced 32 batters, striking out three while walking only one. Finishing strong, she held the Eagles scoreless across the final two frames.
There was no shortage of offense for the Cavaliers, smacking a team total of 17 hits. Martinez led Montreat's offensive efforts with five RBIs, having two doubles and three runs scored. Wyatt contributed with three hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Rivera also tallied three hits and drove in one. Penalber notched three knocks, while also scoring two runs. Eason was the fourth Cav to have three hits, scoring once and tallying one RBI. Staton rounded out the offense with a couple of hits and three RBIs.
Looking ahead, Montreat will host Milligan University on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Roxy Hines Memorial Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C. First pitch of the AAC twin bill is set for 1 p.m.
