Pettit and Langley Throw Complete Games in Sweep of UPike Doubleheader

Waleska, GA - Reinhardt University Softball opened its home slate in convincing fashion, sweeping a doubleheader from the University of Pikeville (UPike) with 3-1 and 6-2 wins on Friday, Feb. 20th, at Ken White Softball Complex. The Eagles used a late two-run home run from Anslie Hight to decide Game One, then rode a balanced, explosive offense and another complete-game effort in the circle to finish the sweep in Game Two.

GAME ONE

In the opener, Reinhardt starter Ansley Pettit turned in a dominant performance, and Hight delivered the decisive swing in the late innings. UPike struck first in the top of the third when Dani Crum singled to center to drive in Ashlyn Dixon for a 1-0 lead. The Eagles responded immediately in the bottom half, pushing across the tying run when pinch runner Miyah Bostic came around to score after advancing on a fielder's choice, sending the game to the middle innings locked at 1-1. Bostic was running for Emma Scott, who singled to lead off the bottom of the third.

The score remained tied until the bottom of the sixth, when Hight broke through with the game's biggest hit. With Taylor Wade aboard, Hight drove a two-run, line-drive home run to left that gave Reinhardt a 3-1 advantage that proved to be the difference. Hight finished Game One with two hits and two RBIs, while Scott also collected two hits to help Reinhardt out-hit Pikeville 6-5. The Eagles played clean defense behind Pettit, committing no errors to Pikeville's two.

Pettit made the lead stand with a complete-game gem. The right-hander worked all seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Pikeville managed only three runners left on base as Pettit consistently worked ahead in counts and limited hard contact. The 3-1 victory set the tone for the afternoon and gave the Eagles momentum heading into the second game of the twinbill.

GAME TWO

Game Two followed a similar script early, as Reinhardt again struck first and never relinquished control on the way to a 6-2 win. The Eagles grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Bostic scored on a catcher's error after Maggie English advanced to third, capitalizing on Pikeville's lone miscue of the game. Reinhardt extended the margin in the fourth, when Kylie Freije ripped a two-run double to push the advantage to 3-0, though she was thrown out at home on the play.

Pikeville briefly climbed back into contention in the fifth when Crum delivered again, this time with a two-run home run that cut the deficit to 3-2. Reinhardt answered immediately in the bottom of the inning with a two-run frame highlighted by another RBI double from Freije, rebuilding a 5-2 cushion. In the sixth, Taylor Wade provided additional insurance with an RBI triple to make it 6-2, one of her two triples on the day, as she finished with three hits and an RBI.

While the Eagles' offense produced 10 hits in the nightcap, Macy Langley ensured the lead never wavered. Langley went the distance in the circle, tossing seven innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Freije led the offense with three hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs, while Wade matched her with three hits and used her speed to generate extra-base damage. Reinhardt overcame two defensive errors by consistently producing at the plate and answering UPike's lone scoring surge.

Across the doubleheader, Reinhardt outscored UPike 9-3, received complete games from both Pettit and Langley, and showcased timely power from Hight, Freije, and Wade. The sweep gives the Eagles strong early-season momentum as they head into Tuesday's AAC matchup with Montreat, and then they will play in the NFCA Softball Tournament in Columbus this weekend.