Reinhardt Advances With 8-3 Victory Over Coastal Georgia

Reinhardt Advances With 8-3 Victory Over Coastal Georgia
Box Score
May 17, 2021

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com

 WALESKA, Ga. – A four-run top of the first inning – highlighted by a crucial two-out error – set the tone for the rest of the afternoon as Reinhardt was victorious over the Mariners of Coastal Georgia, 8-3, in the NAIA Softball Opening Round at Ken White Softball Field on Monday.

The Eagles improved to 42-13 with the triumph, one in which they scored more runs in the opening stanza than the Mariners did the entire game. Coastal Georgia was set to get to the dugout with no score before an error at shortstop made it 2-0, and then a 2-RBI double from Alise Hooks sent the Mariners into shock with a 4-0 deficit.

"We played well today and Reagen threw well against some Coastal hitters that have a good mix of speed and power," head coach Jade Geuther said. "Natalie was outstanding defensively, and on the bases, we executed some small-ball that we don't always ask our players to do. Alise's at-bats were some of the best she's had all year, and I love when players understand their role. Alexis hasn't played all year and yet every single day she takes extra reps after practice. She got an opportunity today and was a difference-maker. People who work even when not playing deserve moments like she had today. I'm happy for her and happier that her individual success benefited our team like it did.

"This was a great start to the national tournament, but we have to put this behind us and get ready for Oregon Tech."

The scoring would be silent until the top of the fifth – where the hometown team batted being the No. 3 seed in the Opening Round – when Natalie Parlato scored on a wild pitch and Hooks made it 6-0 on a Megan Huss single to the pitcher's circle.

A 2-RBI double down the left-field line got the second-seeded squad back within four tallies at 6-2, and then a couple batters later, Coastal Georgia added a third run on an error in the outfield.

Alexis Griffith, who came off the bench mid-game to play second base, had a big outing (2-for-2). She also helped Reinhardt get more insurance scores in the seventh after bringing home Hooks on an RBI-double to right-center.

Griffith would late come home herself on a SAC fly by Lauren Parker for the 8-3 final.

Reagen Radke would shut down the Mariners' offense in the bottom of the seventh to earn the complete-game victory. She surrendered just two earned runs, walked two and struck out a pair.

Jill Martinet was out-front with three hits in four appearances, while three more teammates added a pair of knocks in the positive outcome. 

Top-seeded Oregon Tech awaits tomorrow at Noon, with the winner advancing to the Opening Round Final on Wednesday.

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