BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat College softball team wrapped up the Cavalier Kickoff on Monday with a dominant doubleheader sweep of Alice Lloyd College. The Cavaliers secured a pair of five-inning run-rule victories, 11-3 and 17-2, to cap the event in commanding fashion. With the wins, Montreat improved to 3-1 on the season, while the Eagles dropped to 2-2 overall.
Montreat wasted no time seizing control in game one, erupting for five runs in the opening inning. Abigail Wyatt sparked the rally with a double down the left-field line and later crossed the plate on a single from Nadilyn Eason. Nevaeh Rivera added to the surge a few batters later with a sacrifice fly that brought in Eason. After a string of walks kept the pressure on, Sarah Forbes delivered a two-run single, and Gabby Burkhart came home on a wild pitch to cap the frame, giving the Cavs a commanding 5-0 advantage after one inning.
In the bottom of the third frame, the hosts extended their advantage with four more runs. Burkhart started the scoring with a single and advanced on a hit by Forbes. Hannah Henderson's base knock brought in Burkhart, and a bunt single by Wyatt scored Forbes. Eason delivered a double to left center, driving in two more runs to bring the score to 9-1 after three.
Montreat added two more runs in the fourth inning. Rivera's leadoff triple was followed by a sacrifice fly from Burkhart. A fielding error allowed Aaliyah Penalber to reach base, and another run scored, making it 11-2.
Alice Lloyd managed to tally a run in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings but could not come close to eliminating the gap. The home side maintained control throughout, securing an 11-3 victory in merely five frames.
Burkhart earned the win in game one for the Cavaliers, tossing a complete five-inning effort. She surrendered three runs on six hits while striking out two.
Wyatt turned in a strong performance at the plate, tallying two hits, scoring twice, driving in a run and swiping a base. Eason added two hits of her own, including a double, and paced the offense with three RBIs. Forbes finished with two hits and a walk, crossing the plate twice while collecting two RBIs. Rivera, Burkhart and Henderson each added an RBI to round out the Cavaliers' offensive effort.
In game two, the hosts immediately took command, surging for nine runs in the bottom of the first inning to seize momentum. Wyatt ignited the rally with a single to third, and Penalber followed with a base hit up the middle. Eason delivered the early breakthrough, ripping a single to right field to drive in Wyatt and Penalber. Jasmine Rachal drew a walk, and Isabella Martinez singled to load the bases, setting the stage for Rivera, who lined a base hit to plate another run. The Cavaliers kept the pressure on, piecing together quality at-bats and timely hitting. Henderson added an RBI single, and Eason capped the dominant frame with another base knock as Montreat surged ahead 9-0.
Alice Lloyd managed to score one run in the top of the second frame, but the Cavaliers responded with another run of their own. Martinez walked and scored on a fielder's choice by Henderson, extending the lead to 10-1 after the second inning.
The Eagles scratched across a run in the third, but Montreat quickly answered with a five-run frame to put the contest out of reach. Penalber doubled and later scored on a wild pitch, while Rachal also scored in the same manner. Rivera kept the inning going with a single, and Jaidyn Stephens delivered an RBI base hit to continue the surge. The crooked number on the scoreboard saw the Cavs expand their edge to 15-2 through three.
In the bottom of the fourth, the hosts tacked on two additional runs. Rivera reached on a fielder's choice and scored on an RBI single by Henderson. Wyatt added another RBI single, bringing the score to 17-2.
Montreat closed out the contest in decisive fashion, securing a 17-2 run-rule victory in just five innings.
"The hitting from top to bottom was really aggressive today," said head coach Kelsey McCue-Long. "It was good to see us get on the board early and often."
Stephens earned her first victory of the season, improving to 1-1 after allowing just two runs in the circle. She worked through six walks and added a strikeout in the winning effort.
Wyatt led the offensive charge with four hits and two RBIs, setting the tone at the plate. Penalber turned in a strong outing as well, recording three hits and scoring three times. Eason added two hits and drove in three runs, while Henderson finished with two hits and three RBIs, also drawing a walk and swiping a base. Forbes chipped in two RBIs, and Stephens and Rivera added one apiece to round out the Cavaliers' balanced attack.
Looking ahead, the Cavs hit the road on Tuesday, Feb. 10 for their first away action of the season when they travel to take on No. 4 Georgia Gwinnett College in a nonconference doubleheader. First pitch of the twin bill is slated for 4 p.m. at the Grizzly Softball Complex in Lawrenceville, Ga.
