Yalich stands out on the mound and at the plate in doubleheader loss at Spartanburg Methodist

Serena Yalich was a standout on the mound and at the plate for Gaston College on Saturday but the Rhinos' startup softball program dropped both games of a doubleheader at National Junior College Athletic Association Region 10 Division I opponent Spartanburg Methodist.

The Pioneers, who have made nine NJCAA World Series appearances, knocked off Gaston College 15-1 and 13-1 in a pair of five-inning games.

"Serena continued to compete in the circle and she had a good day at the plate," Gaston College coach Mike Steuerwald said. "We just made too many errors behind her. But like I told my team afterwards, I was happy with how hard we competed."

Yalich threw a pair of complete games but suffered from the Rhinos' 15 fielding errors that led to 18 unearned Spartanburg Methodist runs.

At the plate, Yalich hit a solo home run in the fourth inning of the opener and had a RBI double to drive in McKenzie Gates in the nightcap to give Gaston College an early 1-0 lead.

The Rhinos (0-8 overall), who have opened their season with doubleheaders against two Region 10 Division I teams and two four-year universities, next play their Region 10 Division II opener next Saturday against Cleveland Community College at 1 p.m. at Gastonia's Martha Rivers Park.