Cubs legend Ernie Banks was famous for saying "let's play two," an enthusiastic desire to linger on the baseball diamond that made him a beloved figure in Chicago.  But maybe even that Hall of Fame shortstop would have acknowledged that the Montreat College softball team played a lot of ball from March 12-20, squeezing ten games into those nine days, with the Cavaliers posting a 4-6 win-loss record against ranked teams and talented opponents.  

Over the course of six games played in three days in Mobile, Alabama, Head Coach Lee Swanson's club struggled to a 2-4 record, but the competition they faced included some of the strongest teams in NAIA play this season.  

In their finest game of the season to date, the Cavs downed William Carey University, ranked 6th in the nation, 1-0, as junior pitcher Rachel Stowe twirled a complete game no-hitter against the powerful Crusaders.  Olivia Huffman's single in the top of the 7th drove in Jamie Lokken from second base for the game's only run.  Swanson applauded what he called "our most complete game of the year."  Saluting Stowe's gem, he said, "Rachel was amazing on the mound."

Losses followed as #12-ranked Shorter College and Trevecca Nazarene University dropped Montreat's record to 11-11 overall before Montreat rebounded to defeat Columbia College 5-1.  The win put Montreat in the winner's bracket and assured them a top ten finish in one of the fiercest in-season tournaments in the country.  

Tenth-ranked Lee University and Faulkner University both downed the Cavaliers to send them out of the Mobile event, but there was no time to rest as Montreat headed toward Charlotte to tackle Belmont Abbey College.  Swanson's club dropped two tough 4-3 decisions and finally headed back to the mountains.

Playing on their home field for the first time since February 20 (a month!), Montreat fought for two important wins, defeating UVa-Wise 7-6 in 8 innings and 4-3 to raise their overall record to 14-15 and, more vitally, to claim a 2-0 record to begin Appalachian Athletic Conference play.  In game one of the doubleheader, UVa-Wise scored in the top of the extra inning to seize a 6-5 lead, but the Stowe's 2-RBI single in the bottom of the frame provided the winning margin.  

Swanson was pleased to see different players produce hits and defensive plays when needed against their AAC rival, knowing that every player needs to contribute if a team is going to win over the course of a long season.  

Especially when a team plays more than a game a day.