BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — The Montreat College softball team hosted its final home Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) twin bill of the year on Tuesday afternoon, squaring off against the University of Pikeville Bears. The Cavaliers came away with a split in the doubleheader, winning game one in run-rule fashion, 15-2, while game two went in favor of the Bears, 11-3. As a result, Montreat now holds an 18-22 (8-16 AAC) record, while Pikeville sits at 23-13 (13-11 AAC) for the season.
Wasting no time in securing a lead, the Cavaliers struck first in the opening inning.
Aaliyah Penalber started the frame with a leadoff base hit and later scored after
Lauren Davis grounded out to short.
Abigail Wyatt drove in
Nadilyn Eason with an RBI single, putting the Cavs ahead 2-0.
The very next inning, Montreat's offense exploded with a 10-run rally.
Addison Staton started the frame with a single through the left side, and a series of hits, compounded by some defensive errors from UPIKE, allowed multiple runs to cross the plate. Eason and
Jasmine Rachal each contributed with 2-RBI singles to highlight the inning, and by the time the third out was recorded, the Cavaliers had extended their advantage to 12-0.
Not letting off the accelerator, the Cavs tacked on three more in the third.
Isabella Martinez drove in a run with an extra base hit down the left field line and later scored on a wild pitch. An RBI single from
Kelsi Alberson capped off the inning, helping further Montreat's already commanding lead to 15-0.
Pikeville managed to scratch across two runs in the fourth inning thanks to back-to-back doubles. Despite the late scoring from the visitors, the Cavaliers held on to complete the 15-2 run rule victory in just five innings of play.
Lauryn Bishop delivered a complete game performance in the circle, pitching all five innings. She allowed two runs on six hits while striking out three. Bishop's effort resulted in her fourth win of the season.
Penalber recorded three hits and scored three runs, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output. Eason also delivered with three hits and three RBIs while crossing the plate twice. Rachal posted four RBIs, adding power to the lineup with her two hits. Alberson and Wyatt both came through with a pair of hits and RBIs.
Game two of the twin bill saw the tables turn with Pikeville jumping out to the early lead. Taking full advantage of defensive miscues and free passes at the plate, the Bears put up four runs in the top of the first. More of the same came in the following two innings, highlighted by a two-run homer. UPIKE ultimately added on four more runs to its already established edge.
A pair of RBI singles from Rachal and Wyatt put the Cavaliers on the board in the third, chipping into the deficit, 8-2.
The Bears tacked on three insurance runs in the fourth and fifth frames, bringing the scoreline to 11-2. Montreat showed some late fight in the bottom half of the fifth after Penalber started the inning with a triple and scored on a groundout from Eason. Despite the late effort, Pikeville held on to its lead and claimed the run rule victory, 11-3, after five innings.
Olivia Bezjak started the game for the Cavaliers, pitching 1/3 of an inning. She allowed four runs, two of which were earned, on two hits and two walks.
Daniell Robinson took over in relief, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing seven runs, four earned, on ten hits and three walks.
Penalber contributed with two runs and a triple. Rachal recorded two hits and drove in one run. Wyatt also added two base knocks while registering one RBI.
The next challenge for Montreat comes on Saturday, April 18, when it faces Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, Ga. The final AAC doubleheader of the 2026 season is set for 3 p.m.
