No. 18 Gaston College sweeps league DH to extend winning streak to 20

The winning streak hit 20 for the No. 18 Gaston College softball team after Thursday's pair of victories at Region 10 rival USC Salkehatchie.

The Rhinos improved to 36-3 overall and 6-0 in the region with a pair of "run rule" wins by 10-0 and 12-1 scores.

"It was good to take care of business," Gaston College coach Michael Steuerwald said. "We had two more good pitching efforts and we did what we needed to do offensively, especially in the second game when we jumped on them and keep tacking on."

Savanna Mullins threw a one-hitter in the opener with four strikeouts and Tea Cornett followed up with a four-hitter with one strikeout in the nightcap.

The Rhinos' offense was led by Mary Hinson (4 hits, triple, 3 RBIs), Mullins (3 hits, double, 2 RBIs), Katelyn Brandon (2 home runs, 5 RBIs), Alexa Bianchi-Rossi (2 hits, home run, 4 RBIs), Jalyn Kopp (2 hits, double, 1 RBI), Adah Bruining (2 hits, 2 RBIs) and Emery Skinner (2 hits).

The Rhinos continue Region 10 play with a pair of weekend doubleheaders - 1 p.m. Saturday at Florence Darlington Tech and 1 p.m. Sunday against USC Salkehatchie at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park.

"It's going to be a big weekend," Steuerwald said. "FloDar is unbeaten in the conference. So we want to try and create some separation early in the conference season and take advantage of a chance to do so in a tough road setting in conference play."