Softball Falls in Opening Round of NAIA Championships

In the opening round of the 2016 NAIA Softball Championships, the host Georgia Gwinnett College shutout Brenau 6-0 in the Georgia Gwinnett Bracket on Monday in Lawrenceville, Ga.

The Golden Tigers surrendered a first inning solo homer to the Grizzlies' Breshante Dareus to find themselves down 1-0 early.

Brenau answered in the bottom of the inning as Lexi Cash doubled to deep center, then advanced to third on a Elizabeth Schneider single. However Cash was caught in between third and home after a Savannah Moore infield hit, which ended the scoring threat for the Golden Tigers.

The game continued at 1-0 until the fifth inning when the Grizzlies added one run, then followed with four runs in the sixth to put the game away.

Jessica Rathje took the loss for the Golden Tigers as the freshman pitched seven innings, allowing 11 hits and six runs.

Brenau (29-23) next plays Milligan (Tenn.) in an elimination game at 2:30 eastern. Georgia Gwinnett (42-17) will face St. Xavier (Ill.), who defeated Milligan in the opening game of the tournament.

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