Softball Opens Gulf Shores Invitation with Two Wins

Gulf Shores, Alabama-  The Brenau softball team went undefeated on the first day of competition at the Gulf Shores Invitational with wins over William Woods (Mo.) 5-3 and Tennessee Southern 4-1 on Friday.

Against William Woods, the Golden Tigers scored three runs in the top of the 6th inning to escape with a 5-3 win. Leading 2-1 going into the sixth inning, sophomore Ava Moon doubled to left field to score sophomore Dayton Power to extend the lead to 3-1. After Moon scored on a Whitney Hulsey sacrifice, sophomore Allie McGee singled down the left field line to score sophomore Payton Hawkins for a 5-1 lead.

The Owls rallied in the bottom of the inning by scoring two runs to cut the score to 5-3, but freshman pitcher Malorie Watson slammed the door closed with a complete game victory.

In the second game of the day, starting pitcher Emily Hall pitched a complete game to shut down the Tennessee Southern Firehawks 4-1.

Junior Riley Smith went 2-4 with 2 RBIs, while Moon added a hit and two stolen bases in the victory.

Brenau (13-1 overall, 2-0 AAC) will play three games on Saturday. The team will take on Saint Xavier (IL) (10-4 overall) at 10 am eastern, Central Baptist (Ark.) (7-15 overall) at 12:15 pm eastern and University of Mobile (Ala.) (12-4 overall) at 4 pm eastern.