No. 10 Gaston College completes unbeaten weekend at Winthrop Classic

No. 10 Gaston College's softball team recorded its sixth doubleheader sweep of the season on Saturday as it knocked off Gordon State 6-5 and 12-0.

The Rhinos improved to 13-1 overall by rallying to win in the opener then erupted for eight runs in the third inning to take a 12-0 lead in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule in the nightcap.

"We played some good teams this week and it was good to finish off the way we did," said Gaston College Michael Steuerwald, whose team earlier in the week swept Catawba Valley Community College before splitting a road doubleheader at perennial power Walters State, Tenn. "We've had some close games which gives us a chance to learn how to win close games.
"We've got a lot of versatility in our lineup and getting those other pitchers into our lineup will help us. I'm excited about where we're at because we've still got a lot of room to grow."

In Saturday's opener, after sophomore Tea Cornett made her first start of the season and relievers Savanna Mullins and Sophia Crist handling pitching chores and a scappy offense rallied from a 5-4 deficit to win.

Jalyn Kopp's RBI single tied the score at 5 before Mary Hinson's squeeze bunt brought home the winning run and Crist retired Gordon State in order in the seventh to take the pitching win.

In Saturday's nightcap, starter and winner Laila Woofolk and reliever Charlee Kelly made their season debuts and offense that had 10 hits including home runs from Meredith Bolick, Katelyn Brandon and Adah Bruining led to a comfortable victory.

"I think this weekend was good for us," said Steuerwald, whose team returns to action Wednesday with a 1 p.m. doubleader against Walters State at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park.