Gaston College softball shows improvement in losses at four-year college

Gaston College's startup softball program showed improvement in its second doubleheader of the season as it dropped 6-4 and 8-1 games at four-year William Peace University in Raleigh.

The Rhinos actually took their first lead of the season in the opener with a run in the top of the first inning when Raynee Redington singled, stole second and third base and scored on a throwing error.

Redington finished the opener with three hits and three runs and a walk. Serena Yalich (two hits, one RBI) and Emily Matthews (two hits, one RBI) were other offensive standouts for the Rhinos in the opening game of the doubleheader. And Yalich was a hard-luck complete-game loser with a five-hitter in which she yielded three unearned runs.

In the nightcap, McKenzie Plaskin got the Rhinos lone hit and run as Redington went the distance with an eight-hitter while yielding two unearned runs.

"We played way better than we played against USC Union (in last Saturday's season-opening doubleheader)," Gaston College coach Mike Steuerwald said. "Serena did a really good job in the circle for us and it was just unfortunate that we didn't make some plays in the field or on the basepaths to help her more."

The Rhinos (0-4) return to action on Thursday with a 1 p.m. home doubleheader against Johnson C. Smith at Gastonia's Martha Rivers Park.

"We made strides today," Steuerwald said. "We got contributions from lots of players like Gracie Frazeur, who made her first start in the outfield and got her first college hit. Kaylah Hannibal and Morgan Maltba also got their first hits and continued showing improvement like the rest of the team."