EMORY, VA. – The Emory & Henry University Softball Team (20-18, 4-8 SAC) battled the second place team in Conference Carolinas to a 1-1 split in midweek non-conference action. The Wasps took Game 1 9-5 and fell in Game 2 by run rule 16-8.
The Basics
GAME ONE – North Greenville 5, Emory & Henry 9
GAME TWO – North Greenville 16, Emory & Henry 8
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (20-18 4-8 SAC); North Greenville (26-14 15-3 CC)
Game One – North Greenville 5, Emory & Henry 9
North Greenville got on the board first in the top of the 2nd frame with a solo home run from Haylee Whitesides. The Wasps were quick to respond in their own half, first with an RBI double from Laila Rodriguez (Virginia Beach, Va.) that brought in Liberty Johnson (Arvonia, Va.). One batter later Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.) belted a pitch over the left field fence that brought in Rodriguez and Kali Cook (Elkin, N.C.). E&H added to the lead in the next inning with a Greenly Elliott (Danville, Va.) RBI single to score Tristyn Tofano (Roanoke, Va.).
In the bottom of the 5th the Wasps continued to add runs on the board. Kylie Cundiff (Roanoke, Va.) came across home plate from a Rodriguez single to right field. Rachel Hill (Stanardsville, Va.) followed that with a single up the middle to bring in Elliott. Rodriguez stole 3rd base and then came around to score when Street put the ball in play.
NGU didn't go down without a fight, the Trailblazers scored 4 runs in their half of the 6th to cut the lead to 8-5. Emory added one more insurance run in the bottom of the 6th to put the game out of reach. Kirsten Fitzgerald (Palmyra, Va.) came in relief of Reeves and finished things off for the 9-5 win. Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) ended her day with 6.0 innings pitched, 3 strikeouts and only 6 hits allowed.
Game Two – North Greenville 16, Emory & Henry 8
Both programs fought back and forth for control of Game 2. North Greenville scored 3 runs in the top of the 1st to take the early advantage. The Wasps cut into the lead in the bottom of the 2nd with a Karsen Simpson (Salisbury, N.C.) double to right center that brought in Tofano. NGU wasted no time in adding to their lead with a 2 run home run to dead center in the top of the 3rd to go up 5-1.
Sawyer Tolley (Bedford, Va.) ripped a no doubter over the left field wall to bring E&H within 1 run. The back and forth kept going in the middle innings, NGU continued swinging the bats in the top of the 4th. Maddie Stone hit a single shot to left field and Emily Blackwell sent a 2 run shot over the center field fence to go up 8-4. Rachel Hill hit her 6th home run of the year in the bottom of the 4th that scored 3 runs, and once again the Wasps found themselves within striking distance down just 1 run going into the 5th.
The Trailblazers turned it up a notch in the top of the 5th, NGU exploded for 8 runs to go up 16-7 over E&H. Cundiff cut into their lead in the final frame with a solo shot to left field. Emory & Henry however could get no closer and would fall by run rule 16-8.
Up Next
E&H goes back on the road this Saturday, April 4th to take on the Coker Cobras in South Atlantic Conference action. First pitch is set for 1PM and 3PM.
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