Reinhardt, Georgia Gwinnett Finish All-Square in Monday Matchup
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – No. 17 Reinhardt and No. 8 Georgia Gwinnett have gone back and forth all year on the diamond – and Monday was no different – as the two programs split the doubleheader by the count of 5-1 in both outings.
The 1-1 afternoon means the 2021 campaign against each other comes to a close with each squad going 3-3.
The Eagles are now 35-11 with the victory.
"It's always big to get a top 10 win, and we were able to do that because we didn't just go through the motions," head coach Jade Geuther said. "This is the team we can be when we actually compete.
"Emily had a huge day at the plate and JJ hasn't had a lot of playing time, so it was great for her to step up and produce; and Whitney has done a great job in the circle against Gwinnett all year."
A low-scoring game one was broke open in the bottom of the fifth when the Grizzlies were able to scratch across three runs compliments of an RBI-groundout and a 2-RBI double to right-center field that moved the advantage from 2-1 to 5-1 for the hosts.
Reinhardt's lone run of the contest came on an RBI-double from Jill Martinet that tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the first. Georgia Gwinnett, who took an early lead in the first, regained that position in the bottom of the third on an error in the outfield.
The Eagles would only amass five hits in the loss, two of which came from JJ Trowell, while the others were near the top of the order.
Reagen Radke was strapped with the loss after six innings, one earned run and four strikeouts.
Game two was much of the same for the hometown team's offense until it came alive for three tallies in the sixth and another pair in the seventh.
Again, the Grizzlies scored early, but Whitney Shepherd was magnificent the rest of the way en route to a complete-game victory after seven innings of work and only one run allowed.
Reinhardt flipped a switch in the late frames and came through with four-straight hits to start the top of the sixth – including the tying RBI from Martinet up the middle. From there, a pair of RBI-groundouts pushed the Eagles' lead to 3-1.
The seventh provided more scoring for the visitors, as a lead-off walk from Lauren Parker resulted in a run after being brought home on an Emily Loveless RBI-double to left-center. Martinet would then rise to the occasion once more with another RBI-knock up the middle for a 5-1 cushion.
Seven of the Eagles' 11 hits came in the sixth and seventh stanzas combined; the top of the order (Loveless was 4-for-4) was responsible for eight of them.
The regular season comes to a close on Wednesday afternoon back in Appalachian Athletic Conference play with a doubleheader on the road against Tennessee Wesleyan.
First pitch in Athens is set for 2 p.m.
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