Winston-Salem, N.C. — The Carolina University Bruins softball team closed out its final home tune-up before the CAC Conference Tournament with a doubleheader against Montreat College on Wednesday, April 22 at Wilson Park. Carolina showed resilience across both contests but ultimately fell in Game 1, 6-0, and Game 2, 3-2, as the Bruins now turn their focus to the conference tournament beginning Wednesday, April 29 at Georgia Gwinnett.
Game 1: Montreat 6, Carolina 0
Montreat used a strong offensive showing early to take control of Game 1, plating four runs through the first three innings en route to a 6-0 victory.
Carolina recorded seven hits but was unable to convert scoring opportunities. Nathaly Ochoa led the Bruins at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance, while Jocelyn DeMoss, Madison Hamilton, Emma-Lea Cabral, Lexi Hall, and Anni Bergmeier each added a hit.
In the circle, Anni Bergmeier went the distance, throwing all seven innings. She allowed six runs (five earned) on 14 hits while keeping Montreat from drawing multiple free passes.
Montreat was powered offensively by a 14-hit attack, including multi-hit games from several players and extra-base hits that helped stretch the lead throughout the game.
Game 2: Montreat 3, Carolina 2
The Bruins responded with a much tighter contest in Game 2, battling until the final inning but falling just short, 3-2.
Carolina again tallied seven hits, with Emma-Lea Cabral (2-for-4, double) and Lexi Hall (2-for-3, run scored) leading the offense. Nathaly Ochoa added a run and a hit at the top of the lineup, while RBIs came from Madison Hamilton and Alyssa Rowe.
The Bruins took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning and later tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth, but Montreat answered with the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to secure the sweep.
Madison Hamilton pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on six hits while working through traffic and limiting further damage in key moments.
From the Coach
"This was an important day for us," said interim head coach Danielle Brooks. "We saw growth in our competitiveness, especially in Game 2, and we're continuing to put ourselves in positions to win. Now it's about tightening the details and carrying that fight into the conference tournament."
Up Next
Carolina University will travel to Georgia Gwinnett for the CAC Conference Tournament beginning Wednesday, April 29, looking to build on the progress shown in their final regular season games.
