GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Montreat College softball team dropped an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader to Brenau University on Thursday, falling 14-2 in game one and 12-1 in game two. Both contests ended in five innings. With the results, the Cavaliers moved to 11-15 (3-9 AAC), while the Golden Tigers improved to 19-9 (10-2 AAC).
The first game quickly got away from Montreat. Aaliyah Penalber drew a walk in the opening frame, but the Cavs were unable to capitalize. Brenau erupted in the bottom half of the inning, scoring nine runs to take a commanding 9-0 lead after just one frame.
The Cavaliers got on the board in the top of the second as Bre Speight singled and later scored on a double by Abigail Wyatt. However, the hosts responded with four more runs during the ensuing half inning, extending their advantage to 13-1. Montreat added another run in the third inning when Isabella Martinez reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on a single from Jasmine Rachal and scored on an RBI base knock by Lauren Davis. The Cavs then held the Golden Tigers scoreless in the frame, trimming the deficit to 13-2.
Brenau added one more run in the fourth, while Montreat was unable to respond. The Cavaliers went down in order in the fifth inning, and the Golden Tigers closed out a 14-2 run-rule victory.
Gabby Burkhart got the nod for Montreat in game one, allowing nine runs on eight hits with three walks across one inning. Daniell Robinson relieved Burkhart, pitching three frames while giving up five runs on six hits. The Morganton, N.C. native also tallied three walks and a strikeout.
Penalber added a hit and a walk at the plate. Rachal led the offense with two base knocks, while Speight contributed a run scored and a stolen base. Wyatt doubled and drove in a run, and Davis added a hit and an RBI.
In the second game, Penalber sparked the offense with a leadoff single to right field, but she was ultimately stranded at third base. Brenau seized early control in the bottom of the first inning, plating a run on a double to take a 1-0 lead.
Montreat generated momentum in the second frame as Davis and Speight each recorded singles, followed by a double from Addison Jackson. However, Davis was thrown out at the dish, and the Cavaliers again were unable to score. Brenau broke the game open with six runs during the ensuing half inning, including a pair of two-RBI singles that helped establish a 7-0 edge through two.
The third inning saw the Cavs held hitless while BU extended its advantage with a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 9-0. The Cavaliers responded in the fourth when Rachal reached on an error, advanced on Davis's single and scored on a groundout from Hannah Henderson. Brenau answered with three more runs, though, utilizing back-to-back doubles to push the lead to 12-1. Montreat registered a pair of baserunners in the top of the fifth, but a scoreless frame meant the Golden Tigers secured another run-rule victory, this time via a 12-1 final.
Mykenzie Flores started in the circle for game two, hurling 1 2/3 innings and surrendering seven earned runs on six hits with one strikeout and five walks. Lauryn Bishop replaced Flores, allowing two earned runs on four hits over 1 1/3 innings. Olivia Bezjak closed the game with one inning pitched, giving up three earned runs on three hits.
Davis led the visitors offensively with a perfect 2-for-2 performance. Jackson contributed a double, Penalber added a hit and a stolen base, Rachal scored once and Henderson drove in a run.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers return home on Saturday, March 28, to host Bryan College at Roxy Hines Memorial Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C. First pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m.
