BREVARD, N.C. - The Brevard College softball team (2-8, 0-2 SAC) opened up conference play against Catawba College (9-22, 3-0 SAC), falling to the Indians in both games of Saturday's doubleheader.
The Indians scored in all but one inning in game one to win 10-1 in five innings. Catawba benefited from 20 hits in game two to win 14-2 over the Tornados. Brooke Walser picked up two wins for Catawba, tossing all five innings of the first game, and coming on in relief in the second inning of game two to stop Brevard's threat.
Game 1: Catawba: 10 - Brevard: 1
The Indians jumped on the board first as Kristen Stinnard scored on a wild pitch after reaching base courtesy of a walk in the top of the first. Catawba had back-to-back four run innings in the third and fourth innings to help them to the run-rule win.
Brevard would reach the board in the bottom of the fourth as Lauren Parker (Charlotte, N.C.) reached base on an error. Brittan Miller (James Island, S.C.) singled to the right field. Parker and Miller would each steal a base. Ashleigh Ivey (Concord, N.C.) would bring in Parker for Brevard's only run.
The Tornados were held to two hits in the game, with Miller and Ivey both reaching on singles. Ricki Kuhn (Newton, N.C.) was charged with the loss in the circle. Kuhn threw all five innings, allowing 10 runs, six of them being earned runs.
Game 2: Catawba: 14 - Brevard: 2
The Tornados reached the board first to open up game two. After a scoreless top of the first, Brevard went to action at the plate. With two outs, Asheigh Ivey reached first on a walk. Rhy Hadden (Sterling, Ill.) would single on the next at-bat. Ricki Kuhn delivered the two-out, two RBI single to right field to give the Tornados the early 2-0 lead.
Kuhn kept the Indians quiet for three innings. Catawba took the lead in the fourth inning, scoring three runs on four hits. Caroline Turner drove in two runs on a single up the middle. Grace Holland delivered what would be the game winning hit, with a double to left center to score Turner.
Catawba scored in the remaining innings, scoring seven runs in the top of the seventh to capture the win by a score of 14-2. Kaylee Cook started the game for the Indians, lasting one inning, surrendering two runs on two hits. Brooke Walser came on to throw the final six innings, allowing no runs or hits, and striking out three batters.
The Tornados will be on the road on Wednesday, as they travel to Tusculum for a conference doubleheader at 2 and 4 p.m.