BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.— The Montreat College softball team kicked off its season on Friday with a doubleheader against the Indiana University Columbus Crimson Pride. The Cavaliers split the two-game set, picking up an 8-7 win in game one before falling to IU Columbus in game two, 8-6. The day resulted in both squads sitting at 1-1 overall on the year.
Scoring came early for both teams in game one. The Crimson Pride were able to scratch one run across in the top of the first inning. The Cavs responded with a strong offensive showing of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Abigail Wyatt tripled to right center to lead off the inning, and Aaliyah Penalber's single and subsequent hustle allowed both Wyatt and Penalber to score due to fielding errors. Nadilyn Eason kept it going with a double to center field, and Isabella Martinez's single brought Eason home, extending the advantage. Hannah Henderson walked to drive in another run, putting Montreat ahead 4–1 after the first.
The second inning mirrored the first. IU Columbus put one on the board with the help of a sacrifice fly, and the Cavaliers continued to apply pressure in the bottom half of the frame. A single from Jasmine Rachal sparked a two-out rally for the Cavs, and a wild pitch coupled a Martinez base knock through the left side brought Rachal home. Mykenzie Flores and Sarah Forbes contributed with RBI singles, while a bases-loaded walk for Wyatt brought in another run, increasing Montreat's lead to 8–2 through two.
In the middle innings, the defenses tightened up. In the third and fourth frames, the Montreat pitching staff, led by Flores, kept IUC off the scoreboard, maintaining the six-run edge. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers' offense was held in check as well, leaving the score unchanged at 8–2 heading into the sixth.
The Crimson Pride staged a comeback in the top of sixth inning. A series of hits and errors allowed them to score five runs, narrowing the gap to just one. Montreat managed to prevent further damage and went into the final frame leading 8–7.
In the seventh inning, the Cavs found their way out of a bases-loaded jam to secure the 8-7 victory and Kelsey McCue-Long's first triumph as a collegiate head coach.
Flores picked up the win for the hosts in game one, throwing a total of 6 1/3 innings. She allowed two runs on seven hits, walked two and hit one, all while striking out six. Olivia Bezjak came in for just 2/3 innings, giving up five runs and allowing four hits.
Martinez led Montreat with three hits and two RBIs, contributing two runs. Flores helped herself out, picking up two hits and an RBI. Wyatt recorded a triple and drove in a run. Henderson, Penalber and Forbes each contributed an RBI also.
Game two of the doubleheader set a very different tone as it was IU Columbus who got off to a hot offensive start. The Crimson Pride rattled off three runs in the first inning, utilizing some big base hits. Jaidyn Stephens was able to pitch a scoreless frame in the second, though. The Cavaliers struggled to string any offense together, except for a couple of knocks in the bottom of the second from Nevaeh Rivera and Stephens. IUC extended its lead, putting up a five-run third inning to push the lead to 8-0.
Montreat began its response in the fourth with Rachal's triple, who subsequently scored on a wild pitch, closing the gap to 8–1. The Cavaliers' defense maintained their composure through the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, preventing any further scoring by IUC. In the bottom of the seventh, the Cavs mounted a determined comeback attempt. Kayla Gibson, who entered as a pinch runner for Elizabeth Gergen, scored on a sacrifice fly by Eason. Martinez's walk then brought another run home. Rivera delivered a crucial bases-clearing double, bringing Montreat closer. Despite the late rally and bringing the tying run to the plate, the game concluded with the hosts falling short, 8–6.
"The team showed resilience, responded well, and kept competing." Said head coach Kelsey McCue-Long "I am excited to continue on with the Cavaliers kickoff against Alice Lloyd on Monday."
Stephens got the nod for game two, pitching all seven innings. She surrendered eight runs and 11 hits while walking five and striking out two.
Rachal posted a triple and scored two runs, contributing significantly to the offensive effort. Rivera recorded two hits, including a double, and drove in three. Martinez registered a trio of walks and added an RBI.
Looking ahead, Montreat will host Alice Lloyd College on Monday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Roxy Hines Softball Field in Black Mountain, N.C.
