Reinhardt Sweeps Sand Sharks at Home Thursday
By Brandon Wright, RU Athletics
WALESKA, Ga. – The 8th-ranked Reinhardt softball team extended its winning streak to eight games Thursday as it defeated USC-Beaufort (S.C.) in both outings of the doubleheader at Ken White Softball Field, 5-0 and 9-1 (five innings).
This gives the Eagles, who have now won 14 of their last 16 games, an 18-4 record on the year.
Reinhardt's pitching during the current eight-game win streak, led by Appalachian Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week Reagan Radke (8-2, 1.47 ERA), has been phenomenal as the Eagles are allowing less than one run per game.
"USCB has some of the best pitching we have faced, but a credit to our team, we executed some small-ball things that we normally don't do," head coach Jade Geuther said. "While we didn't play our best, to be able to beat a good team like we did is very encouraging."
Game 1 (W, 5-0)
· Radke took the mound in game one and looked excellent per usual – allowing just four hits and striking out nine batters in a complete-game shutout.
· Things got going quickly for the home team as Alise Hooks hit an inside-the-park home run during the Eagles' first at-bat to give them the 1-0 lead after one.
· Reinhardt threatened again in the bottom of the third inning, but it could not capitalize on two hits and left three runners on base and bringing the one-run lead into the fourth.
· The fourth inning is where things really got going for the Eagles as Megan Huss started things off with a single, Natalie Parlato reached base on an error, Autumn Bible moved them over with a sacrifice bunt, Hooks earned a free bag with a walk and Emily Loveless brought them all home with a 3-run double for a 4-0 lead.
· The fifth and final run came in the bottom of the fifth inning by way of a stolen base from JJ Trowell, who came in to pinch run after Kyrstyn Fisher's double, bringing the final score to 5-0.
· Huss, Loveless and Hooks all went 2-for-3 in game one.
Game 2 (W, 9-1)
· Whitney Shepherd got the start in game two for the Eagles and allowed just one earned run in her five full innings.
· The scoring got started in the second inning in game two when Reinhardt pitched in four hits from Kyrstyn Fisher, Natalie Parlato, Lauren Parker and Alise Hooks – resulting in four runs and a 4-0 lead.
· In the top of the third, USC-Beaufort looked to be gaining momentum, but with one out under her belt already, Shepherd was able to get the batter to hit into a 6-4-3 double-play; effectively getting out of the jam allowing only one run and stranding two Sand Sharks on base.
· Autumn Bible got on base with a double to start off the bottom of the fourth, which was immediately followed by a 2-run homer by Parker – her fourth of the year – giving the Eagles the 6-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.
· A few errors, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a Parker single resulted in the last three runs for Reinhardt sealing the 9-1 victory in just five innings.
· Seven different Eagles had hits in game two including Parker, who went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, two runs and a home run.
The six-game, three-day home stretch continues tomorrow for Reinhardt as it will face Talladega (Ala.) in a doubleheader.
First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.
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