No. 10 Gaston College softball improves record to 8-0

No. 10-ranked Gaston College's softball team recorded its fourth straight doubleheader sweep victory Tuesday afternoon for an 8-0 start to the season.

The Rhinos won 9-0 in a six-inning opener shortened by the mercy rule then won 8-4 in the nightcap at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park.

Gaston College coach Michael Steuerwald is pleased the team has remained unbeaten but seeks improvement as his team plays its first road games of the year on Wednesday at Walters State Community College of Tennessee starting at noon.

"I don't think we're playing great softball right now but we're finding ways to win games," Steuerwald said. "If we can learn some lessons while we're winning these games and not playing great, that would be ideal."

In the opener, freshman pitcher Aidan Ledbetter threw 3 1/3 no-hit innings before finishing with five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Tea Cornett (2/3 innings) and Jamie Hearn (1 inning) finished up a one-hit shutout victory that ended with pinch-hitter Kara Thomas' walkoff two-run home run.

In the nightcap, Savanna Mullins led Gaston College on the mound and at the plate; She started and went 4 2/3 innings for the pitching victory and had two hits, including a triple, and two RBIs.

In the doubleheader, Mary Hinson (4 hits, 1 RBI), Mallie Courson (3 hits), Jalyn Kopp (2 hits, 1 RBI), Alexa Bianchi-Rossi (2 doubles, 3 RBIs), Katelyn Brandon (2 hits, double, 2 RBIs), Meredith Bolick (2 doubles, 2 RBIs) and Arissa Duff (2 hits, double, 1 RBI) led the offense.

"We've got a 3 1/2-hour trip for our first road game," Steuerwald said. "And we haven't played yet on dirt. So there's a lot of things that means we'll have to show up with toughness if we want to win some games."

Gaston College plays two games apiece against Georgia Military and Gordon State in the Winthrop Classic on Friday and Saturday in Rock Hill, S.C., before returning home next Wednesday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Walters State.