HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - With an all-around dominating performance, the USCB softball team run-ruled Montreat in both games, 10-1 and 8-0, to sweep the doubleheader over the Cavs on Saturday at Richard Gray Stadium.
INSIDE THE GAME ONE BOX SCORE
Zinia Hampleton - 3-for-3, three-run home run, triple, single, five RBIs, two runs
Mackenzie Freeman - 2-for-3, triple, two RBIs
Ashlyn Alte - 2-for-2, double, three runs, one RBI
Addie Reynolds - 2-for-2, two singles, one RBI, two runs
Francie Gaskin - 1-for-3, single, one RBI, one run
Reghan Steifle - win, five innings, two hits, one run, two strikeouts
HOW GAME ONE HAPPENED
After leaving a Cavalier stranded in the top of the first, USCB's offense worked quickly by plating five runs in the home half of the frame. Alte and Reynolds poked back-to-back singles, and Hampleton cleared the bases with a two RBI triple. Gaskin knocked a single to plate her teammate to make the game 3-0. After a Jazmin Ramirez hit by pitch, Freeman cracked a two RBI triple to push the lead to five.
Montreat threatened to plate runs in the top of the second, but Steifle stayed poised to strand two runners.
USCB started to put the game out of hand in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs. Alte connected with a RBI double, and Reynolds collected a sacrifice fly to make the contest 7-0.
After both teams failed to plate runs in the third, Montreat eventually broke onto the scoreboard in the fourth via a wild pitch.
However, USCB quickly responded with a three-run blast from Hampleton in the bottom of the fourth. The bomb to left field was her second career home run.
Steifle wanted to end the game quickly in the fifth, and she did so in dominating fashion - a 1-2-3 frame (the first of the game). With it, USCB sealed the 10-1 victory over Montreat in game one.
INSIDE THE GAME TWO BOX SCORE
Taylor Florea - win, five innings, one hit, no runs, one walk, eight strikeouts
Devon Weller - 2-for-3, triple, double, two RBIs, one run
Freeman - 2-for-4, two RBIs, two singles
Alyssa Smith - 2-for-2, triple, one RBI, one run
Alte - 2-for-2, two doubles, one RBI, two runs
Hampleton - 1-for-2, two RBIs, one run
HOW GAME TWO HAPPENED
Florea started the game with a phenomenal start, as she struck out the side in order.
USCB's offense backed her with a five-run first - just like in game one. Weller and Smith posted back-to-back triples to start the rally, and Alte cracked a double to make the game 2-0. After a pitching change and a hit by pitch, Hampleton smoked a single up the middle to double the lead, 4-0. After moving to third on a stolen base and a wild pitch, Freeman tallied a RBI single to end the scoring for the Sand Sharks.
After a scoreless second for both teams, USCB added insurance runs in the third and fourth innings. Freeman collected another run-scoring hit in the third, while Weller smoked a two RBI double to make the game 8-0.
Florea continued to dominate in the circle, as she totaled three 1-2-3 innings. Overall, she allowed just two Cavaliers to reach base in the entire contest.
RECORDS UPDATE
USCB - 3-1 overall
Montreat - 0-3 overall
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Sand Sharks will take a week off from the diamond to prepare for NCAA DII and Peach Belt Conference member Georgia Southwestern on Feb. 12. First pitch from Americus, Ga. Is set for 1 p.m.
