[Softball] Softball splits weekend at AUM Invitational

MONTGOMERY, Al. – Montreat softball competed at the Auburn University-Montgomery Invitational this weekend, splitting their four games 2-2 to currently sit at 3-5 for the season.

Game 1 vs. Auburn-Montgomery
Ashlyn Vickers, Victoria Hill, and Destiny Munoz were the only three Cavs to come up with a hit in Montreat's opening game on Friday morning as the squad fell 17-2 to Auburn-Montgomery.

Hill's hit was a solo homer blasted in the fourth inning. The other two hits occurred in the second inning when Vickers doubled to center and Munoz singled up the middle to advance Kelsey Nolasco to second. Nolasco would end up scoring on a fielder's choice/error.

"Despite only having one error, we just couldn't keep up with Auburn-Montgomery's bats," said head coach Heather Maston.

Game 2 vs. Brewton-Parker
Victoria Hill stayed hot at the plate in game two with a double and RBI in Montreat's 10-2 victory over Brewton-Parker.

Liana Elliot went 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs and six putouts at first base. Graclyn Green, Kelsey Nolasco, and Aly Woody also each had a pair of hits while Woody and Mikki Shelton were able to push two runs each across the plate.

Charlie Smith got the nod and win at the mound, striking out four batters in 4.1 innings pitched before Allison Moody came in to finish the game.

"I told the girls between games that we have to keep putting the ball in play and the hits will come," said Coach Maston. "We definitely did that in this game, accumulating 12 hits."

Game 3 vs. Spring Hill
Graclyn Green batted 3-for-3 in game three with a double, triple, and homerun as the Cavs defeated Spring Hill 7-6. Her double was the lead off hit to right center in the second inning, and she tripled to right center to score Kelsey Nolasco in the third. Her homer was a solo blast to left center in the fifth inning.

Mikki Shelton opened the scoring in the game when she crossed the plate on the throw to catch Destiny Munoz stealing in the first. Shelton also sent a run home on a double to right center in the second, and another run scored on the throw.

Victoria Hill and Marissa Romeo also each had a hit and RBI.

Charlie Smith once again started on the mound, pitching six innings with three strikeouts for the win. Josie Harris came in to earn a save in the final inning.

Game 4 vs. Georgia Southwestern
Montreat performed well at the plate with 12 hits in game four, but was only able to push three runs across in an 8-3 loss in their weekend finale.

Destiny Munoz scored the first run of the game after reaching on an error and getting knocked in by a Graclyn Green single.

Shelton tripled to left center to lead off the seventh inning before scoring on a fielder's choice/sac bunt from Liana Elliot.

Starting pitcher Cailin Warner struck out eight batters in six innings pitched while doubling to right center in the sixth inning. Pinch runner Ashley Starnes then scored on a sac fly from Victoria Hill.

Allison Moody entered the circle in the last inning to close out the game.

"I was extremely proud of the team effort from game one to the end of the weekend," said coach Maston. "We pushed, we fought, we kept putting the ball in play, and worked hard behind our pitchers all weekend. We're looking forward to hitting the road next weekend carrying ourselves into conference play in early March."

Up Next: The Cavs head back down south this Thursday for a doubleheader against Fort Valley State on Feb. 14 with a 1pm first pitch.