JOHNSON CITY, TENN. – The Emory & Henry University Softball Team (2-2, 0-0 SAC) earned a split on the final day of the Big Region Preseason Invitational. The Wasps round out the invitational going 2-2 in non-conference play, and will be back in action on Friday, February 13th at the Brianna Surrento Kickoff Classic in Greenwood South Carolina.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 12, Converse 4 (five innings)
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 0, King (Tenn.) 2
LOCATION – Johnson City, Tennessee
VENUE – James K Ellis Softball Complex
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-2, 0-0 SAC); Converse (1-5, 0-0 CC); King (Tenn.) (4-2, 0-0 CC)
Game One – Emory & Henry 12, Converse 4
Neither team managed to push across a run in the 1st inning, Senior Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) recorded 3 swinging strikeouts through the first 2 frames. Liberty Johnson (Arvonia, Va.) got the scoring started for the Wasps as she belted a homerun to left center to put E&H up by one in the bottom of the 2nd. The Valkyries were quick to reposed with a couple runs of their own to take the lead in the top of the 3rd 2-1.
Emory & Henry found their groove in their half of the 3rd, Senior Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.) was first on the base path with a single to short. Rachel Hill (Stanardsville, Va.) followed that up with a ground rule double. Hannah Booth (Longwood, Fla.) would begin the RBI barrage with a single up the middle, Tristyn Tofano (Roanoke, Va.) singled to left center next, Sawyer Tolley (Bedford, Va.) doubled and Liberty Johnson reached first to put the Wasps up by 3. E&H crossed home plate 2 more times in the inning off of a Kali Cook (Elkin, N.C.) RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Street that brought home Natalie Moore (Kingsport, Tenn.).
Malorie Reeves continued her dominance, forcing 3 quick groundouts for the Valkyries in their half of the 4th. The Wasps never let their foot off the gas, Karsen Simpson (Salisbury, N.C.) roped a ball into left center for the ground rule double that brought home Rily Cobler (Meadowview, Va.) and Kylie Cundiff (Roanoke, Va.), while Laila Rodriguez (Virginia Beach, Va.) singled to left center and brough home Karsen Simpson and Liberty Johnson. Rodriguez scored from third base off of another Kali Cook single that pushed the lead to 10 runs.
Converse closed the gap slightly but with two runs in the bottom of the 5th before Reeves forced a fly out to left field to end the game by run rule 12-4.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 0, King (Tenn.) 2
Junior Bailey Payne (Fairview, N.C.) was given the start in game 2, she would pitch the complete game getting 4 strikeouts, allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs. In the defensive battle King (Tenn.) scored 1 run in the bottom of the 1st and sent a ball over the fence for a solo shot in the 4th. King's starter in the circle, Kaylee Meeks, held the Wasps in check with 4 hits allowed, one each by Street, Hill, Booth, and Tolley.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns to the diamond this Friday, February 13th at the Brianna Surrento Kickoff Classic in Greenwood, South Carolina with games against Southern Wesleyan and Lander.
---E&H---