EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (10-9, 5-3 SAC) earned a doubleheader split against South Atlantic Conference-leading No. 19 Wingate University (23-6, 7-1 SAC) Saturday afternoon at home. The Wasps claimed game one by a 5-3 score while the Bulldogs held off a late rally in game two for a 4-3 win.
E&H currently sits in a three-way tie for fourth place in the SAC standings, one-third of the way through its conference slate.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 5, No. 19 Wingate 3
GAME TWO – No. 19 Wingate 4, Emory & Henry 3
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (10-9, 5-3 SAC); Wingate (23-6, 7-1 SAC)
Game One – Emory & Henry 5, No. 19 Wingate 3
Emory & Henry swarmed out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After the Wasps loaded the bases with a hit and a pair of walks, junior designated player Morgan Silvis (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) drilled a grand slam over the left field wall.
E&H played stellar defense throughout the game, evidenced by only one baserunner getting into scoring position in the first five innings.
In the sixth, the Bulldogs broke up the shutout as Savanna Brooks hit a two-out single to left field, driving in Kaylee Hobgood who led off the frame with a base knock. The Wasps responded to make it a four-run game again with freshman shortstop Rachel Hill (Standardsville, Va.) hitting her first collegiate home run down the left field line.
The top of the seventh saw Wingate get solo home runs from Alyssa Hall and Ragan Liles. Still, the Bulldogs were unable to get any closer than 5-3 as the Wasps earned their second victory of the season over a nationally-ranked team.
Junior right-hander Avery Adkins (Goodview, Va.) earned another complete-game victory, allowing three runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. Raechel Cutcher took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
Game Two – No. 19 Wingate 4, Emory & Henry 3
The Wasps got on the board in the first inning as freshman shortstop Kylie Cundiff (Roanoke, Va.) hit her first collegiate round-tripper to left field, giving E&H a 1-0 advantage.
Wingate responded in the top of the second as Hobgood singled through the left side. The Bulldogs made it 2-1 when Ragan Liles scored after a throwing error when Hobgood stole second base. WU pressed its advantage to 3-1 through five on a base knock to right field by Katy Kahlich.
Emory & Henry tied things up in the bottom of the sixth. With one out and the bases loaded, sophomore MaKayla Dowdy (Blacksburg, Va.) drove in a pair with a flare over the second baseman's head, making the score 3-3.
The Bulldogs got the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh as Kahlich squared up a pitch for a solo home run to left-center and a 4-3 advantage. Adkins drew a lead-off walk in the bottom of the frame, but E&H could not generate any additional offense as WU salvaged the split with the 4-3 win.
Hali Scott picked up the victory for Wingate, allowing three runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. Adkins continued to do yeoman's work despite the loss, with three earned runs on eight hits and five strikeouts, walking none.
Up Next
Emory & Henry visits Newberry College for a SAC doubleheader on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.
---E&H---