Softball Sweeps CIU in Conference Play

Gainesville, Georgia- The Brenau softball team used timely hitting to sweep Columbia International (S.C.) University 5-2 and 6-5 in an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday.

In the opening game, the Golden Tigers pounced early by scoring four runs in the first inning to dispatch the visiting Rams.

Senior Shea Reagor hit into a fielder's choice to score fellow senior Kasey Blair for a 1-0 lead, then sophomore Abigail Brown hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score sophomore Hannah Patridge. The scoring continued as freshman Taryn Hitchcock blasted her first career home run to drive in two more runs for a commanding 4-0 lead.

The Golden Tigers added a late insurance run to take game one.

Starter Alyssa Bedenbaugh pitched three innings and allowed two runs, while Sarah Shaw threw four shutout innings in relief.

In the second game, Brenau used a three run, fifth inning to come from behind to dispatch the Rams 6-5.

Down 5-3 in the fifth inning, Hitchcock started the rally with an RBI single to score sophomore Jillian Brookshire. After advancing to second on a poor throw by the Rams, Hitchcock scored on a Carley Cox single to even the game at 5-5.

Two batters later, sophomore Haley Horne singled to center field to drive in Alyssa Maisonet for the go-ahead run.

Brenau (21-8 overall, 14-4 AAC) begins a long road stretch with a doubleheader against Montreat (NC) College (4-29 overall, 2-14 AAC) on Sunday at 2pm eastern.