No. 12 Gaston College records another DH split against nationally-ranked Louisburg

No. 12-ranked Gaston College completed a fourth straight doubleheader split against nationally-ranked Louisburg on Thursday in what is fast becoming the state's hottest National Junior College Athletic Association softball rivalry.

The Rhinos, who earned their first NJCAA Division I national ranking in history earlier this season, won the opener 6-3 before losing 7-6 in the nightcap.

"It was a well-played game by both sides," said Gaston College coach Mike Steuerwald, whose team has a 33-3 overall record. "Both games really could've gone either way. It was really typical of the doubleheaders between the two of us."

Louisburg has been ranked in the top eight in Division II rankings in all four of the doubleheaders the teams have split since their first meeting on Feb. 27, 2024.

"It's a good test and coming off of a long week and it was a good way to get ready for our upcoming heavy conference schedule," said Steuerwald, whose team has played 12 games (in six doubleheaders) in 13 days from March 1 to 13.

The win in Thursday's opener gave the Rhinos their second 13-game winning streak of the season.

Kristyn Ezzo threw a five-hitter and Skye Harrington and Katelyn Brandon hit home runs in the 6-3 victory.

In the 7-6 loss, Gaston College was unable to finish a pair of late-inning rallies to fall one run short.

Kendall Bradshaw (3 hits, double, triple, 1 RBI), Harrington (2 hits, double, home run, 2 RBIs) and Brandon (2 hits, home run, 2 RBIs) led the Rhinos' offense in the doubleheader.

Gaston College now has an eight-day layoff before playing 22 of its final 24 games against Region 10 Division I competition.

"It's not a bad thing given the stretch of games we've had," said Steuerwald, whose team's next games are a noon doubleheader March 21 at USC Union. "We're giving them the week off and then we'll have about a month of our regular season left."