Gaston College softball takes Region 10 title, advances to NJCAA district tournament

Gaston College's softball team is now a championship winner.

The Rhinos won the Region 10 title in their first Region 10 tournament appearance by going 3-0 in the postseason tournament at Pine Grove Complex this weekend in Lexington, S.C.

Gaston College (41-8) wrapped up the title on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over Monroe, N.Y.

"I feel so good for this team and all they have accomplished," Rhinos coach Mike Steuerwald said. "This team is really special."

The win advances Gaston College into a May 12-13 National Junior College Athletic Association Mid-Atlantic District tournament at Central Alabama CC in Alexander City, Ala.

Region 10 pitcher and player of the year Brantleigh Parrott completed the Region 10 tournament with three victories after improving to 22-0 with her 10th shutout of the season.

She fired a 2-hitter with seven strikeouts.

"I don't know if there are any more words I can say about her," Steuerwald said. "She was just terrific the whole tournament for us."

Parrott got the only runs she would need in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Gabrielle Porterfield hit a 1-out single, stole second base and scored on a Monroe fielding error. Serena Yalich later scored the second run of the inning on a fielding error.

"Gabrielle did what she does," Steuerwald said. "She hit a really sharp single and then created havoc like she does when she gets on base."

Logan Lilly got Gaston College's other hit as Mustangs pitcher Sarah Wall had her second straight exceptional effort against the Rhinos.

After the championship game, Parrott was named tournament MVP with Porterfield, Lilly, Asheton Queen, Grace Manning and Gracie Brown were named all-tournament.

"To come from where we've come from to win this tournament says a lot about our team," Steuerwald said. "I'm so proud of them and what they've accomplished."