BREVARD, N.C. – The pitching combination of Breanna Allen and Ricki Kuhn played a key role in Brevard's 2-1 victory over North Greenville in the first game of a two-game series at Ives-Lemel Field on Thursday. The Crusaders rebounded to claim game two of the doubleheader with a 6-2 win, splitting the 2018 home finale for Brevard.
Allen picked up her fourth win of the season, scattering five hits and allowing one earned run over five innings of work before giving way to Kuhn. Kuhn responded with her first save of the season, facing eight Crusaders (16-6) batters and allowing one hit.
Offensively, Brevard (11-17) was led by the duo of Brittan Miller (1-1, RBI, run) and Brittany Franks (1-2, RBI, double). The Tornados finished with five hits in the game, including a double by Franks and a triple off the bat of Amber Hong.
The Tornados put the first runs of the game on the scoreboard in the second inning. Hong connected on a one-out triple to right field, scoring two batters later when Miller singled to short. Franks extended the inning with a double to left field, plating Miller for Brevard's two-run advantage.
North Greenville cut the lead in half with run in the fifth inning. Celsea Rivers opened with a double to right field, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Koon. Brooklyn Stone followed with a single up the middle, scoring Rivers from third. Stone stole second, but would advance no further as Brevard tallied the final two outs of the inning to hold off the scoring threat.
The Crusaders put two runners into scoring position in the sixth inning, but Brevard again closed the door with its solid defense.
GAME 2: NORTH GREENVILLE 6, BREVARD 2
North Greenville established the lead early in the second game, after Hannah Gravely leadoff the game by reaching base on an infield error. Two batters later, with Gravely at second following a sacrifice bunt, Ashton Withers plated her teammate with a single to right field.
The Crusaders added two more runs in the second after Taylor Koon opened the frame with a double into left field. She came home two batters later with a triple to left centerfield by Brooklyn Stone, making for a 2-0 lead. A second infield error resulted in scoring of Stone from third as North Greenville snagged a three-run advantage.
Chelsea Rivers roped a double through the left side of the infield to extend the third inning for the Crusaders. Koon added a triple to right field, extending the lead to 4-0 through three innings.
North Greenville put its final two runs across the plate in the fifth inning, which began when Chelsea Rivers singled through the left side of the infield. Koon doubled into left field, advancing Rivers to third, before a bases-clearing triple off the bat of Stone, making for a 6-0 advantage.
The Tornados answered with two runs in the home half of the fifth, opening the frame with a leadoff single up the middle by Olivia Pauldin. Two batters later Teegan Bullock reached on a fielder's choice, advancing to second following a single to left by Emily White.
With the bases load after Elizabeth Traxler was hit by a pitch, Amber Hong sent a double to centerfield that brought home White and Bullock in succession.
Brevard threatened in the sixth, with runners on second and third, but the Crusaders ended the rally attempt to claim the four-run victory.
Jenna Griffin (5-5) tossed a complete game eight hitter, allowing two runs, three walks and striking out seven Tornado batters.
The Tornado offense was led by the trio of Hong (1-3, 2 RBI, double), White (2-4, run) and Jordan Hawk (2-2).
Brevard wraps up the 2018 season on Saturday, April 21st when the Tornados head to Erskine for a doubleheader that is set to begin at 2 p.m. For more information on Brevard softball check out www.bctornados.com.