MELBOURNE, Fla. — The Montreat College softball team lost a pair of nonconference contests on Tuesday at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Melbourne, Fla. After dropping a 10-4 final to the (RV) College of Coastal Georgia Mariners, the Cavaliers then fell by an 8-3 scoreline to the Cornerstone University Golden Eagles. With the defeats, the Cavs moved to 9-11 on the campaign, while the Mariners and Golden Eagles climbed to 18-3 and 3-7, respectively.
Coastal Georgia seized an early lead in the first inning of game one, taking advantage of an error to score five runs, three of which were unearned. A two-run double opened the scoring, while a pair of RBI singles sandwiched a sacrifice fly. As a result, the Mariners finished up the initial frame with a 5-0 edge.
Montreat punched back in the second inning.
Jasmine Rachal singled prior to
Nevaeh Rivera's triple.
Addison Staton then followed with an RBI base knock, scoring Rivera.
Lauren Davis reached via a fielder's choice, and an error enabled
Abigail Wyatt to unleash a two-out RBI single just one batter later. However, CCGA grabbed some of its momentum back with a run-producing extra-base hit. Through two frames of play, the Mariners possessed a 6-3 lead.
Coastal Georgia extended its advantage with another extra-base knock, this time a solo home run, in the bottom of the third. The Cavaliers managed to get that run back during the ensuing half inning, though.
Aaliyah Penalber's RBI fielder's choice trimmed the gap to 7-4 midway through the matchup.
The Mariners solidified their position with a trio of insurance runs in the sixth. An RBI single early in the frame set the stage for a pinch-hit, two-run homer to center. The big swing capped off an inning that doubled the home side's lead from 7-4 to 10-4.
Rivera picked up a two-out single in the top of the seventh, but that proved to be all the Cavs could muster in their final at-bat. When the 21
st out was recorded, CCGA put the final touches on its 10-4 victory.
Lauryn Bishop tossed four innings as the starter, surrendering eight hits and seven runs, four earned, while striking out one and walking two.
Gabby Burkhart entered in relief, pitching the last two frames and giving up two hits and three runs. The freshman punched out two batters and issued a pair of walks.
Wyatt, Eason, Rachal and Rivera each went 2-for-4 at the plate, with both Wyatt and Rivera driving in a run. Rivera also scored once. Davis touched home plate twice and registered one base knock. Penalber and Staton also tallied an RBI, while the former drew a walk as well.
Cornerstone capitalized on eight walks and five stolen bases to secure an 8-3 victory in Montreat's second game of the day. Playing as the home team on the scoreboard, the Golden Eagles struck first for an early 1-0 lead in the opening inning.
In the third frame, CU extended its advantage with two more runs thanks to a productive fielder's choice. A five-run fourth teeming with stolen bases and RBI hits put the home side in front, 8-0, entering the fifth.
Needing at least one run to keep the game going, the Cavaliers found some offense and plated a trio of baserunners during the top half of the fifth inning. Penalber drove in both Wyatt and Davis before scoring herself on Eason's sac fly to left field.
Despite additional efforts to rally, Montreat was unable to add further runs across the final few frames. Cornerstone maintained its lead and ultimately concluded the matchup with an 8-3 win over the Cavs.
Mykenzie Flores started in the circle for the designated away team. She pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on three hits and six walks. Flores also struck out two batters during her outing.
Jaidyn Stephens entered in relief, hurling 2 2/3 innings and giving up just one run on two hits and two walks.
Penalber contributed offensively with a pair of RBIs and a walk. Rachal recorded two hits in her three at-bats, and Davis added a hit, a walk and a run scored.
The Montreat College softball team wraps up its spring break trip on Wednesday afternoon with a pair of contests against the New College of Florida Mighty Banyans. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Sarasota, Fla.
