CARROLLTON, Ga. - The Christian Brothers University softball team scored 21 combined runs to help it earn a doubleheader sweep over West Georgia, on Friday afternoon, at University Field. The Lady Bucs slugged their way past the Wolves 13-9, in the opener, and finished the sweep with an 8-3 win.
GAME ONE: CBU 13 (7-22, 2-14 GSC) UWG 9 (8-27, 3-13 GSC)
GAME CHANGER:
Trailing 9-6 going into the sixth, CBU scored a pair in the sixth before exploding for five runs in the seventh.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lady Bucs finished with a 14-6 advantage in hits.
- Six CBU hits were for extra bases, including four home runs.
- Cara Alexander finished 3-3 with two home runs and seven RBIs.
- Caroline Gross and Macy Cumming also had home runs.
- Josie Bond recorded three hits in five trips.
- Kiera Coulon added a pair of hits.
- Elaina McGill was 1-2 with a double and two RBIs.
- Relief pitcher Olivia Renta earned the win, allowing one run, on two hits, in 3.2 innings.
KEY PLAYS:
After the Wolves jumped ahead 3-0, in the first, Alexander tied the game with a three-run blast in the third.
Following a walk, and a fielder's choice, Cumming sent a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence to give the Lady Bucs a 5-3 lead.
The hosts answered with a run in the bottom of the third to cut the CBU lead to 5-4.
After CBU added to its advantage, with a run in the fourth, the Wolves regained the lead with four runs of their own.
Trailing 9-6, in the sixth, Alexander smacked a two-run home run that cut the UWG lead to 9-8.
CBU started its seventh inning rally when McGill tied the game at 9 with an RBI double.
After a two-RBI single by Alexander, CBU finished the scoring with a two-run home run by
Caroline Gross.
UWG put two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, but a double play ended the game.
NOTABLES:
- The Lady Bucs earned their first Gulf South Conference doubleheader sweep since taking a pair from Shorter last season (April 9).
- The four home runs are the most for CBU in a game since 2022 (Shorter, April 10).
- The seven RBIs for Alexander are tied for second-most in a single game in program history, and are the most since Jennifer Gonzalez had eight against LeMoyne-Owen (3.31.15).
- CBU snapped a five-game skid against UWG.
GAME TWO: CBU 8 (8-22, 3-14 GSC) UWG 3 (8-28, 3-14 GSC)
GAME CHANGER:
With CBU leading 3-2 in the fourth
Emily Schooler retired nine straight batters, and 11 of the final 13, to finish the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lady Bucs finished with a 12-5 advantage in hits.
- Five CBU hits were for extra bases, including three doubles and two home runs.
- Starting pitcher Emily Schooler went the distance, allowing two earned runs, on five hits, with 11 strikeouts.
- Elaina McGill finished 3-4 with a home run and two RBIs.
- Kate Candies and Mackenzie Bakel also added two hits apiece. Candies finished wit a home run and two RBIs.
KEY PLAYS:
CBU opened the scoring when Candies hit a solo home run in the second.
The Lady Bucs added to their lead, in the third, when
Caroline Gross had an RBI double and Candies delivered an RBI single.
UWG responded with a pair in the bottom of the third.
In the fourth, the home run from McGill increased the CBU lead to 4-2.
CBU added three insurance runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.
The Wolves took advantage of a CBU miscue to finish the scoring in the seventh.
NOTABLES:
- The 11 strikeouts for Schooler are a career-high and are the most for a CBU pitcher since Macy Cumming had the same amount against Union in 2021.
- Candies leads CBU with seven doubles and 17 RBIs.
UP NEXT:
The Lady Bucs are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, April 1 when they look to finish the sweep against West Georgia.
