Big Conference Win for Eagles Softball!
David Finney
Waleska, GA - The Eagles have really come on strong in their last twenty games. They are finishing out the season strong and tonight's doubleheader with The Golden Tigers of Brenau was a perfect example. The Eagles were able to push their way through to get victories in both games, 8-3 in game one and 6-0 in game two. Reinhardt is currently in the third position in the AAC standings with a few more conference games to go. Tennessee Wesleyan and Bryan are number one and two in the conference as of today, but the Eagles possibly could create some movement with wins in the next six conference games to end their regular season.
Game One
Bella Krauth would get the start in game one and she was able to get 3 strikeouts in the seven innings. Brenau was able to get 9 runs against Krauth, however, only three of those were able to cross home plate. Overall, it was a pretty good game for Krauth and she did what was needed to pick up the win for the Eagles.
The Eagles' offense would get started early doing most of the damage against the Golden Tigers in the first and second innings. Hannah Kate Singleton hit a bomb over the right-field scoreboard to bring in three runs for the Eagles. Kyra Lightner and Jill Martinet were on base when the Singleton's home run left the park.
In the second inning, Ansley Evans drew a walk to lead off the inning. Alexis Griffith singled and got Evans to third. Griffith was able to steal second and then Alexis Teems singled to score Evans and move Griffith to third. Then, Martinet hit a sac fly that scored Griffith and moved Teems to third. Teems was eventually brought home by Lightner's single. After two innings, the Eagles had a commanding 6-2 lead.
The Eagles were able to pick up runs in the fourth and sixth innings to get the lead to 8-3, which ended up being the final. Jill Martinet doubled in the fourth to bring in Griffith and then Griffith would score again in the sixth from a single by Lightner. Lightner would lead the Eagles in hitting in game one going 2 for 2 with one run scored and 2 RBIs.
Game Two
Ally Andriano would follow up Krauth's great game with a pretty good game for herself. Andriano was able to pitch the entire game striking out 7 Golden Tigers. She only had 4 hits against her and she kept the zeros up on the board for the entire game. Andriano was in a zone at times and Brenau could not figure her out. She ended the game on a strikeout adding another win to her total. The "One-Two Punch" of the Eagle's pitching staff is really a joy to watch. Krauth and Andriano really know how to get the job done when it is their day to pitch.
Opposite of game one, the Eagles would not get their scoring going until late in the game. Both teams were scoreless through three innings and the Eagles were finally able to get runs across the plate in the fourth where they scored two runs. Lightner started the inning with a single and she was followed by Singleton's double which put runners on second and third. Zoe Porche would come in to run for Singleton and she would eventually score. Ansley Evans would single to bring Lightner and then Kaylin Jinks singled to bring in Porche which put the Eagles up 2-0 after four.
In the fifth, Jill Martinet hit a solo home run over the right-field fence which she has done a few times in the last several games. This would be the only run for the Eagles in the fifth, but it would put them up 3-0 going into the sixth.
In the sixth inning, Martinet would strike again getting a double this time to bring in Teems, Griffith, and J.J. Trowell. This put the Eagles up 6-0 and Andriano would finish off the Golden Tigers in the top of the seventh. Andriano had a pop-up and two strikeouts to end the game.
Reinhardt will have the weekend off to rest and prepare for their busy end of the regular season next week. They have four doubleheaders in four days with three of those on the road. Then it will be time for the team to prepare for the AAC Tournament and beyond as the 2022 spring season quickly comes to a close.