Eagles Take Two From Middle Georgia State in Opener

Eagles Take Two From Middle Georgia State in Opener
Box Score Box Score
February 4, 2021

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

WALESKA, Ga. – The season got off to a blazing start for No. 21 Reinhardt at the enhanced Ken White Softball Field on Thursday evening, as the Eagles swept the Knights of Middle Georgia State – 4-2 and 7-3 – to get 2021 off to a 2-0 mark.

"We knew there were going to be a lot of emotions today," head coach Jade Geuther said. "It didn't feel real getting to play again after almost a year away from competition. There was a lot of excitement, and overall, we handled our emotions very well…. Reagen was outstanding today. She really set the tone for our team from the first pitch.

"There is always a list of things to work on after gameday, especially opening day, but working on those things tomorrow is going to be a lot easier after the sweep than it would be with any other result."

Game 1: W, 4-2

  • The Knights broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning with two hits – their only hits –highlighted by a 2-run blast for a 2-0 lead.
  • One inning later in the bottom of the fifth, Reinhardt posted four runs on four hits to earn the comeback victory.
  • Emily Loveless had an RBI-single, and Jill Martinet came through in the clutch with a 3-run homer to right-center.
  • Reagen Radke was dominant in the circle with 12 Ks and only two earned runs.
  • Three Eagles had a pair of hits each in the season-opening triumph.

Game 2: W, 7-3

  • Middle Georgia State again jumped ahead in the game, this time in the opening frame, for a 1-0 advantage over their hosts. The two squads would alternate scores over the next two innings as things were all-square (2-2) moving to the fourth.
  • Reinhardt would come alive in the fifth (2 runs) and sixth (3 runs) to go up, 7-2, after a homer (Emily Loveless), an error, RBI-single and then a 2-RBI double (Emma Adams).
  • The Knights would get one run back in the seventh on an error but couldn't get any closer the rest of the way.
  • The hometown squad collected 11 hits in the victory.
  • Ansley Byers got the win after taking over in relief for Whitney Shepherd, and in the batter's box, Jill Martinet went 3-for-4.

The team has a couple days off to prepare for its first road trip of the year against NCAA Division III Covenant (Ga.) on Tuesday afternoon.

The doubleheader begins at 2 p.m.

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