Late Game Heroics Propel Softball Past Reinhardt

The #19 Brenau softball team used late game heroics to defeat Reinhardt University in an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader on Sunday at Ernest Ledford Grindle Athletics Park in Gainesville.

In game one, the Golden Tigers struck first as Mason Garland singled past the Eagles' shortstop Autumn Bible to score Faith Grooms and take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. However, two runs in the top of the second and one run in the top of the third gave the visiting Eagles a 3-1 advantage.

The lead lasted until the bottom of the fifth as Garland walked with the bases loaded to score Lauren Sanders to cut the deficit to 3-2. Savannah Moore then singled to score Kelsey Payne and Shelton Kendrix to increase the lead to 4-2. Then in the bottom of the sixth, after Faith Grooms tripled to deep right, Lexi Cash hit into a fielder's choice to score Grooms to make the score 5-3 and earn the win.

Brenau starting pitcher Jessica Rathje pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out six for her eighth win of the season.

In game two, Lexi Cash singled in the bottom of the eighth inning to score Savannah Moore to give the Golden Tigers an 8-7 victory.

After Reinhardt took a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning, Brenau responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth as Karly Smith singled to score Garland. The momentum continued as Grooms doubled off of Eagles' starter Lindsey Shepherd to score Smith for a 5-4 lead.

However, the lead was short lived as the Eagles scored two runs in the top of the seventh to take a late 6-5 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Kelsey Payne hit a sacrifice fly to score Moore to even the score at 6-6 and send the game into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Reinhardt scored on Autumn Conaway's misplayed grounder for a 7-6 lead. However, Conaway singled in the bottom half of the inning to drive in Grooms and tie the game at 7-7. After Reinhardt failed to score in the top of the ninth, Cash drove in Moore to help Brenau escape with an 8-7 win.

Kaleigh Sullivan pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing only one hit and no earned runs to earn the win.

Brenau (20-11 overall, 9-3 AAC) next travels to Montreat (NC) College (11-25 overall, 6-10 AAC) on Tuesday for a 2 pm doubleheader.