Gaston College softball winning streak increases to 13 with DH sweep

With a challenging stretch of games coming up, it was important for Gaston College to continue to play at an efficient level heading into Wednesday's doubleheader against Wake Tech.

The Rhinos did that and more, exploding for 28 runs in a sweep of the twinbill at Caromont Health Park.

Gaston College closed out both games in five innings, 19-1 in the opener and 9-0 in the second game. The Rhinos ran their home record to 12-0 and overall win streak to 13.

Coach Mike Steuerwald had the luxury of emptying his bench in the opener, in which the Rhinos scored 17 runs through the first three innings.

"I never take a win for granted, so it was good to take care of business and to be able to execute the way we did," Steuerwald said. "We had an opportunity to get all five pitchers in the circle, which was really nice."

In game one, the Rhinos' 17-hit attack featured a grand slam by Grace Kealy in the third inning when Gaston College went on a nine-run spree.
Kendall Bradshaw wielded a big bat, going 4-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBIs. Dakota Marshall was also perfect at the plate (4-for-4) with four runs scored and an RBI. Other hitters of note were Gabrielle Porterfield (3-for-3), Skye Harrington (1-for-1, 2 RBIs), and Gracie Brown (2-for-4, 3 RBIs).

Abigail Gawlinski started in the circle and worked three hitless innings while striking out seven. Phoebe Cole and Tessa Hunt pitched an inning each to finish up.

Harrington paced Gaston College in the second game with three hits in three at-bats, three runs scored and an RBI. Alayna Patrick's three-run home run highlighted a five-run third inning for the Rhinos.

Marshall (2-for-3), Bradshaw (2-for-3), and Logan Lilly (1-2, 2 RBIs) also contributed offensively.

Starting pitcher Abigal Brewton ran her record to 9-0 with a one-hitter through four innings along with seven strikeouts. Emma Ghorley struck out the side in one inning of relief.

The schedule toughens considerably with Monroe College of the Bronx, N.Y., coming to Caromont Health Park Friday for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. It's a rematch of last year's Region 10 championship series in Columbia, S.C., with the Rhinos winning two low-scoring games, both by 2-0 counts.

Steuerwald said the Mustangs are better than their current 1-13 record.

"We saw them twice last year in postseason, and we had two and three hits in two games and had to scratch out runs. The pitcher who faced us is back (Sarah Wall), and she beat us here last year. The key is for our hitters to stay locked in."

So far this season, Wall is 1-6 with an ERA of 9.46, according to the Monroe College website.

Looking ahead, the Rhinos host Louisburg College (7-0) next Tuesday, a team that was ranked No. 1 in a National Junior College Athletic Association Division II preseason poll.