Mount Vernon, GA - CIU Softball played the first of two series against non-conference opponents this weekend, as they led off against the Barons of Brewton Parker College. The Rams looked to bounce back after a disappointing stretch against two tough opponents at USCB and College of Coastal Georgia. After a Brewton-Parker win in the first game, CIU rallied in the second to win a hard-fought battle Barons.
Game 1
How it Happened
- Brewton-Parker got to work early in the bottom of the 2nd inning scoring three runs.
- The Rams recovered defensively in the 3rd inning, allowing no hits or runs, quickly retiring the side.
- CIU scored in the 4th after Freshman Shannon Patton hit an RBI single to right field, advancing Kayla Washington for a run from 3rd.
- The Barons answered in the bottom of the 4th with an RBI single from Sadie Rusteika, taking a 4-1 lead.
- The Rams drew closer to the Barons lead in the 5th as Kaitlynn Creel and Tanaya Ellis scored on an error by Baron short stop Sadie Rusteika, cutting the lead to 4-3 heading into the bottom of the 5th.
- Brewton-Parker earned six hits and five runs in the 5th to take a 9-3 lead.
- The Barons sealed the win in the bottom of the 6th after scoring 2 more runs off of a Deven Bennet RBI double to centerfield. Final score, Brewton-Parker 11, CIU 3.
Box Score Highlights
Game 2
How it Happened
- Brewton-Parker started where they left off, scoring four runs through the first three innings.
- The CIU offense sprang to life in the 4th inning. Two runs coming off of an RBI single from Cameron Puckett, Kaitlynn Creel and Vianka Morales scored after a bobbled ball from Baron shortstop Sadie Rusteika. Robyn Andrews contributed the third run, stealing third base after a ground out.
- The Barons regained the lead in the bottom of the 5th with two runs. CIU rallied and retired the side, keeping the game close at 6-3.
- CIU scored another run in the 6th inning, as Kaitlynn Creel scored after an error by Baron short stop Sadie Rusteika.
- The Rams defense stood tall in the 6th inning, as Catie McGovern struck out a batter while the defense behind her easily retired the other two batters.
- CIU offense again came out strong in the 7th inning. The first of 3 runs came from an RBI single from Shannon Patton, as Alyssa Allender scored from 3rd. Kaitlynn Creel reached on an error by the 3rd basemen Maidson Whipkey's, scoring Haley Wilkerson from 2nd base. CIU gained the first lead of the game after a Robyn Andrews RBI single to left field, advancing Shannon Patton home from 3rd.
- Catie McGovern took the mound in the bottom of the 7th with a 7-6 lead over the Barons. The Rams defense played well yet again as they retired the first three batters on a ground out, fly out, and pop out to win the game 7-6.
Box Score Highlights:
- Freshman Kaitlynn Creel led the Rams in hitting with three hits and also scoring two runs and an RBI.
- Cameron Puckett notched 2 RBIs.
- Robyn Andrews had a solid day batting, tallying two hits, one run, and an RBI.
- Catie McGovern had a great day on the mound, with 5 strikeouts while surrendering only two runs on the day.
Head Softball Coach Sara Allen commented on her teams play through Friday, "This week we've been taking ownership of the pressure moments that come up in a game, and to see a lot of people step up in the second game and put us in a position to win was great. We still have a lot of growing to do, which we saw in the first game, but we found out a lot more about who we are today, and I'm really about that."
Up Next:
CIUs pits themselves against Thomas University tomorrow, in a doubleheader at 1 PM & 3 PM.
