Softball Sweeps Blue Mountain; Thomas Reaches 400 Wins
The #23 Brenau softball team defeated Blue Mountain (Miss.) College in a Southern States Athletic Conference doubleheader to give head coach Devon Thomas his 400th career coaching victory at Brenau.
Thomas, the only coach in Brenau softball history, has amassed a career 400-210-1 over 14 seasons. During his tenure, Thomas has coached 45 SSAC All-Conference selections, 65 SSAC All-Academic selections, 22 SSAC All-Freshman selections, two SSAC Players of the Year and five NAIA All-Americans.
In 2012, Thomas led the Golden Tigers to the NAIA Final Four, finishing in third place- the highest ranking in program history.
In game one against Blue Mountain, Brenau pounded out 10 runs on 10 hits in a 10-4 victory
Savannah Moore hit a home run and added four RBIs, while Schneider and freshman Lexi Cash each added RBIs.
Rathje pitched all seven innings for her 17th win of the season. The freshman allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out three.
In game two, the Golden Tigers scored two first inning runs, but surrendered five runs in the third inning to find themselves down 5-2. However, the Brenau offense answered with two in the fourth and three more in the fifth to pull away with the victory.
Courtney Kenney led the way at the plate with a home run and two RBIs, while Mason Garland went 3-3 with an RBI. Elizabeth Schneider added two hits and an RBI, and Cheyenne Marsh added two RBIs in the win.
Gracie Dorr pitching four innings and allowing four runs, while Jessica Rathje threw three innings in relief, allowing only one run to close out the game and give Thomas his 400th career win.
"The team played hard and showed a lot of heart," said Thomas. "Good defense and had timely hitting definitely played a big part in today's victories."
"I am honored at this point in my career that I'm able to continue to bring talented athletes to the University. I'm very grateful to all the athletes present and past that have helped allow me to get to this point."
Brenau (24-19 overall, 9-7 SSAC) next plays non-conference opponent Tennessee Wesleyan College on Tuesday in Gainesville. Game one is scheduled to begin at 1 pm eastern.