LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.— The Montreat College softball team went on the road on Tuesday to play the No. 4-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College Grizzlies in its first away action of the season. The Cavs came up short in five innings during both contests. Game one ended with a final score of 9-1, and game two concluded with an 11-3 final. As a result, Montreat now sits at 3-3 on the year, while GGC improved to 2-0.
The first inning resulted in no movement on the scoreboard despite the Cavaliers putting a couple of runners on base. The bottom of the second proved successful for the Grizzlies as they plated a few runs, utilizing a couple of base hits and a productive out to capture an early 3-0 lead.
Montreat was able to respond in the third frame. After Abigail Wyatt reached on a walk, Aaliyah Penalber moved her over with a single. The visitors then capitalized on an error in the outfield, which allowed Wyatt to come around and score, bringing the deficit to 3-1.
Georgia Gwinnett continued to extend its lead across the final three innings, scoring one in the third, three in the fourth and two more in the fifth to complete the run-rule victory, 9-1.
Mykenzie Flores pitched 4 2/3 innings for the Cavaliers, allowing nine runs on nine hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
Penalber recorded two hits and reached base three times. Nevaeh Rivera contributed with one hit. Wyatt reached base once on a walk and scored the Cavs' only run.
In game two, Georgia Gwinnett wasted no time in establishing momentum. Following a scoreless first inning from the Cavaliers, the Grizzlies rattled off three runs, once again jumping out to an early 3-0 lead.
The second inning saw Montreat held scoreless again, while GGC expanded upon its lead with an additional run. The visitors got on the board in the third frame when Addison Staton doubled and later scored on a single by Penalber. However, the Grizzlies answered with a six-run surge in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a two-run homer, bringing the score to 10–1.
Montreat continued to try and chip away in the fourth as Isabella Martinez singled and later scored on a hit by Staton, reducing the deficit to 10–2. Georgia Gwinnett added a run during its next turn at the dish, maintaining a commanding 11–2 lead. In the fifth inning, the Cavs scored once more when Wyatt reached on an error and later crossed the plate on a passed ball. With the Cavaliers unable to pull within seven run or less, though, the ballgame concluded there with the Grizzlies securing an 11–3 victory.
Gabby Burkhart got the starting nod in game two, where she threw 2 1/3 innings, giving up 10 runs on nine hits and five walks. Lauryn Bishop appeared in relief for the Cavs, tossing 1 2/3 innings and surrendering up one run on one hit. The Mountain City, Tenn. native punched out a pair of batters and walked just one.
Staton contributed significantly with a double as one of her two hits, driving in one run and scoring once herself. Penalber recorded two knocks as well and plated one. Jasmine Rachal added an extra-base hit. Wyatt reached safely twice, scoring one run and drawing one walk.
The next challenge for Montreat is against Carolina University on Monday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. The matchup will take place in Clemmons, N.C.
