Softball Wins Two Against Montreat
The Brenau softball team extended their winning streak to four games with a sweep of Montreat (N.C.) College on Tuesday in Gainesville.
In game one, Madison Gossett (FR/Trenton, Ga.) pitched a dominating game and Katie Cole homered to help the Golden Tigers cruise to a 6-0 win.
In the bottom of the second, Cole hit a solo homer to deep center field to give Brenau a 1-0 lead. After loading the bases in the bottom of the third, a passed ball allowed Landon Farrow (JR/Martin, Ga.) to score for the second run of the inning.
The Golden Tigers continued to capitalize on their opportunities when in the bottom of the fifth inning, Cheyenne Marsh (JR/Richmond Hill, Ga.) and Mackenzie Oliver (SO/Martin, Ga.) hit back-to-back RBI singles to increase the lead to 3-0. Brenau then capitalized on a Montreat error to allow Marsh to score for the third run of the inning.
Gossett (11-8) pitched her seventh complete game of the season for the win. The freshman allowed only two hits and no runs while striking out 11. The 11 strikeouts were her second highest total of the season after striking out 12 against Bryan (Tenn.) College earlier in the season.
In game two, Brenau scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to earn their 25th win of the season.
Farrow again started the scoring for the Golden Tigers as the junior singled to start the bottom of the third. After advancing to third, Cole singled to score Farrow for a 1-0 lead. Madison Lacy (FR/Trenton, Ga.) then grounded out to score Cheyenne Marsh for a 2-0 lead.
After allowing three runs in the top of the fourth, Brenau answered in the bottom of the fifth as the Golden Tigers used their speed to generate offense. Oliver singled, stole second, then advanced on a fielder's choice. Lauren Sanders (FR/Maysville, Ga.), pinch running for Cole, stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Lacy then doubled to deep right-center to score the tying and go-ahead runs to clinch the win.
Lacy led Brenau in game two with 3 RBIs, while Oliver went 1-2 with a stolen base. Oliver currently leads the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) in stolen bases with 31 and is ranked fourth in the NAIA.
Game two starter Jenny Willis (SR/Auburn, Ga.) (10-2) pitched four innings, allowing six hits and three runs with two strikeouts.
Gossett pitched the final three innings to earn the win.
Brenau (25-11, 7-7 SSAC) hosts SSAC opponent Faulkner (Ala.) University today in a 4 pm eastern doubleheader at Lanier Point Park in Gainesville.