The Eagles Split at Home Against Montreat College

Waleska, Ga. - Reinhardt University split a home doubleheader with Montreat College on Tuesday in Waleska, Ga., riding a complete-game from Anslie Pettit and a three-run third inning to a 4-1 victory in Game 1 before falling 11-5 in an offense-heavy Game 2.

In the opener, Montreat struck first in the top of the first inning when Wyatt was hit by a pitch and later scored on an RBI single from Rachal. After two scoreless frames for the Eagles, the offense broke through in the bottom of the third with a decisive three-run rally that flipped the game. That surge, combined with a dominant outing in the circle from Pettit, set the tone for Reinhardt's first win of the day.

Trailing 1-0, Reinhardt loaded the pressure in the third. Maddie Wright came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Kylie Freije to tie the game, and Emily Pettit followed with a two-run single that gave the Eagles a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish. Reinhardt added insurance in the fourth when Wright delivered a run-scoring single, capitalizing on a Montreat miscue to push the advantage to 4-1. The Eagles finished with eight hits in the game and left nine runners on base but cashed in enough timely at-bats to support their pitching.

In the circle, Anslie Pettit went the distance, limiting Montreat to three hits and one earned run over seven innings while striking out eight. She did not allow a run after the first inning and repeatedly worked ahead in counts to keep Montreat's lineup off balance. Defensively, Reinhardt committed just one error behind her, while Montreat's two errors and inability to escape the Eagles' big innings proved costly. Montreat starter Flores took the loss, surrendering four runs (three earned) on eight hits across six innings.

Game 2 turned into a slugfest as Montreat answered with an 11-5 win in the nightcap. The Cavaliers jumped out with a four-run first inning that included a two-run double down the left-field line by Martinez. Montreat tacked on another run in the second to go back in front after Reinhardt's response, then added two more in the fifth and four in the sixth to steadily pull away. Montreat finished with 17 hits and six runners left on base, taking advantage of nearly every scoring chance.

Reinhardt refused to go quietly early, answering Montreat's opening punch with a four-run bottom of the first to tie the game 4-4. The inning was highlighted by a two-RBI double from Emily Pettit as the Eagles' bats matched Montreat's fast start. Reinhardt added a single run in the fifth to stay within striking distance, but Montreat's late offense proved decisive. Martinez delivered a three-RBI double in the sixth as part of a four-run frame that pushed the lead to 11-5, and Rivera added an RBI double in the outburst.

Burkhart went the distance for Montreat in Game 2, allowing five runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts to earn the win. Neither team committed an error in the nightcap, but Montreat's 17-hit attack, led by Martinez's five RBIs and two doubles, was the difference. Reinhardt totaled 10 hits and six runners left on base, capping a day that featured a strong opening-game performance and a hard-fought but high-scoring loss in the finale. The split leaves the Eagles with momentum from a complete-game victory and a reminder of the importance of limiting big innings as the season continues.