SARASOTA, Fla. — The Montreat College softball team secured a pair of extra-innings victories on Wednesday afternoon over New College of Florida, claiming a 5-3 win in nine innings in game one before earning a 5-4 decision in eight innings in game two. With the doubleheader sweep, the Cavaliers improved to 11-11 on the season, while the Mighty Banyans fell to 16-3 overall.
In the opener, Lauren Davis kicked off the scoring with a second-inning solo shot, giving Montreat a 1-0 lead through the first two frames. Davis struck again in the fifth, launching her second solo blast of the contest to double the Cavaliers' advantage to 2-0.
NCF responded in the sixth inning, stringing together a pair of doubles before adding a run on a single to even the score at 2-2. The contest remained tied through seven frames, sending the matchup into extra innings.
Montreat briefly regained the lead in the eighth when Abigail Wyatt scored on an RBI single from Nadilyn Eason. However, the Mighty Banyans answered in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI groundout, bringing the game level at 3-3.
The Cavaliers broke through in the ninth inning as Davis delivered once again, blasting her third home run of the game, this time a two-run shot that also brought home Isabella Martinez. The Winston-Salem, N.C. native handed Montreat a 5-3 lead with the swing. The visitors then held the hosts scoreless in the bottom of the ninth to secure the victory.
Mykenzie Flores turned in a strong outing in the circle, pitching 5 1/3 innings while allowing two earned runs on four hits. She struck out four and walked three. Jaidyn Stephens added 3 2/3 innings in relief, surrendering one unearned run on two hits while striking out one.
Davis led the Cavaliers offensively with a remarkable performance, belting three homers and driving in four runs. Jasmine Rachal added two hits, including a double, and she also drew a walk. Eason contributed a hit and an RBI, while Wyatt and Sarah Forbes each recorded a base knock.
Game two opened as a defensive battle before Montreat struck first in the third inning when Aaliyah Penalber came around to score an unearned run, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 edge.
Montreat added to its advantage in the fourth inning. Kelsi Alberson scored on an error, Wyatt followed on Kayla Gibson's sacrifice fly and Penalber later crossed the plate thanks to a wild pitch. The three insurance runs extend the visitors' lead to 4-0.
New College of Florida answered in the fifth inning with three runs of its own, trimming the deficit to 4-3.
The Mighty Banyans pulled even in the seventh with an unearned run, tying the contest at 4-4 and forcing extra innings for the second time in as many games.
In the eighth, Montreat reestablished its lead when Forbes came around to score on an error, providing what proved to be the game-winning run. The Cavaliers held NCF scoreless during the bottom of the inning to complete the 5-4 victory and secure the doubleheader sweep.
Lauryn Bishop delivered a complete-game effort in the circle, tossing all eight innings to earn her first win of the season. She allowed seven hits and four runs, three of which were earned, while walking two and striking out one.
Penalber paced the offense in game two with two hits and two runs scored. Nevaeh Rivera also registered two base knocks, driving in a run and drawing a walk. Alberson added two hits, scored once and stole a base. Meanwhile, Gibson chipped in with a hit, an RBI and a walk.
Looking ahead, Montreat travels to face Bluefield University on Tuesday, March 24. First pitch of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) twin bill is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Bluefield, Va.
