No. 13 Gaston College softball pitching dominant in DH sweep

Gaston College's No. 13-ranked softball team set a program record for pitching in Sunday's doubleheader sweep of USC Sumter at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park.

The Rhinos won 13-0 and 15-0 - both in five innings by the "mercy" rule - as Abigail Brewton threw a no-hitter in the opener and Kristyn Ezzo a one-hitter in the nightcap.

It's the least number of hits yielded by Gaston College's softball team in a doubleheader sweep.

"Our pitching staff is at a point where when one person sees someone pitch well, they're motivated to match or do better," Gaston College coach Mike Steuerwald said. "So I really like the competitive spirit we're showing out there every game."

Brewton's no-hitter also was her second in school history (and fifth overall) as she no-hit Fayetteville Tech last season. Brewton faced the minimum 15 batters as the leadoff walk she yielded to open the fourth inning was later erased by a double play. Brewton struck out six and threw 58 pitches.

And Ezzo, who threw a no-hitter earlier this season against Pellissippi State, threw the fifth one-hitter in program history. She yielded only a two-out single in the first inning. Ezzo struck ou 11 and threw 69 pitches.

The offense erupted for 30 hits including 10 extra base hits in the sweep.

The leaders were Skye Harrington (5 hits, triple, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs), Sarah Johnson (5 hits, 2 doubles, triple, home run, 4 RBIs), Savanna Price (4 hits, 2 RBIs), Grace Kealy (3 hits, 3 RBIs), Katelyn Brandon (3 hits, 1 RBI), Mary Hinson (2 hits, 2 RBIs) and Alayna Patrick (1 hit, double, 5 RBIs).

Gaston College improved to 37-3 overall and 6-0 in Region 10 Division I action.

The Rhinos return to action with back-to-back doubleheaders at USC Salkehatchie on Thursday at 1 p.m. and Friday at noon.

"We're just playing the game well and having great softball IQ," Steuerwald said. "We're pitching it well and hitting really well."