No. 18 Gaston College gets impressive doubleheader road shutouts

No. 18 Gaston College's softball team recorded an impressive doubleheader sweep on Wednesday with 10-0 and 8-0 victories at Catawba Valley Community College.

The Rhinos improved to 41-4 overall with the victories that were shortened to five and six innings, respectively, by the run rule.

Aidan Ledbetter fired a four-hitter with eight strikeouts for her seventh shutout of the season in the opener and Tea Cornett threw a four-hitter with two strikeouts in the nightcap.

"That was a couple of good wins obviously for us," Gaston College coach Michael Steuerwald said. "It was good to see the pitchers get back on track with the shutouts. Tea had her best outing of the year and Aidan was Aidan in Game One."

The results marked the Rhinos' 17th doubleheader sweep of the season, including the sixth doubleheader sweep with both victories by shutout. The sweep also gives the program 40 or more wins each season it has fielded an official team since 2023.

Mary Hinson (4 hits, double, 3 RBIs), Katelyn Brandon (3 hits, double, 3 RBIs), Alexa Bianchi-Rossi (3 hits, 3 RBIs), Savanna Mullins (2 hits, triple, 2 RBIs), Adah Bruining (2 hits, double, 2 RBIs) and McKenna Jones (2 hits, 2 RBIs) led the Gaston College offense that banged out 12 hits in each game.

The Rhinos, who are 9-1 in Region 10 league play, return to action for their final six home games of the season at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park - all against conference opponents - beginning with Friday's noon doubleheader against USC Union. The Rhinos host Florence Darlington Tech in a 3 p.m. doubleheader on April 9 and USC Salkehatchie in a 2 p.m. doubleheader on April 10.

"We've set ourselves up for a good run in conference," Steuerwald said. "And we've got some big games coming up with Union and FloDar for the next two at home. We just need to take care of business."