WILSON, N.C. – The Barton softball team (8-8) split a doubleheader with Kutztown (Pennsylvania) Friday afternoon at Jeffries Field. The Golden Bears prevailed over the Bulldogs by a 9-7 score in the first contest while Barton salvaged the split with an 8-0 run-rule shutout in the nightcap.
Game One – Kutztown 9, Barton 7
The Golden Bears' Lauren Petitt (Medford, N.J.) hit the game-winning, two-run double in the third inning as the visitors rallied from a 4-0 deficit after one inning of play to take the win.
Kutztown's Alexa Stevens (Covington Township, Pa.) hit a solo home run to tie the contest at four while Sarah Harvey (Swanton, Vt.) added a two-run round-tripper in the victory. The Golden Bears' Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa.) (2-0) earned the win after pitching the final four innings.
Barton senior designated player
Elyse Brinn (Belhaven, N.C.) drove in a pair of runs but senior
AnnaKate Gilchrist (Clayton, N.C.) was tagged with the loss.
Game Two – Barton 8, Kutztown 0 (five innings)
Barton senior
Rilee Jones (Norfolk, Va.) threw her second no-hitter of the season while sophomore designated player
Gracelyn Massey (Princeton, N.C.) hit a solo home run as the Bulldogs run-ruled the Golden Bears.
Jones struck out eight batters as the Bulldogs got back to .500 on the season. Gravish (2-1) was tagged with the loss. Barton senior outfielder
Savannah Branch (Shallotte, N.C.) scored three times in the victory as well.
Barton hosts West Chester on Wednesday in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m., while Kutztown (Pa.) faces Lynn in Boca Raton, Fla., on Monday starting at Noon with a doubleheader.
