EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (21-16, 16-8 SAC) assured itself of at least a third-place finish in the South Atlantic Conference with a pair of victories over Limestone University (24-22, 12-12 SAC) Friday afternoon. The Wasps claimed game one by a 5-4 score in eight innings and grabbed a 2-1 victory in game two.
Friday also served as Senior Day for the Wasps who honored Julia Street (Glade Spring, Va.), Avery Adkins (Goodview, Va.), Emily Scaggs (Riner, Va.), Dacey Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) and student assistant Tatum Harvel prior to game one.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 5, Limestone 4 (eight innings)
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 2, Limestone 1
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (21-16, 16-8 SAC); Limestone (24-22, 12-12 SAC)
Game One – Emory & Henry 5, Limestone 4 (eight innings)
Limestone got on the board in the top of the first as Santana Anderson hit a solo home run down the right field line.
Emory & Henry responded with two runs in the bottom of the second started by freshman third baseman Ashlyn Rachon's (Greeneville, Tenn.) infield single. Sophomore centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) plated another run two batters later with a fielder's choice to make it a 2-1 contest.
The Saints regained the lead immediately with Katie Wilbur hitting a RBI double to right field and Anderson singling up the middle for a 3-2 margin. E&H tied the contest at three runs apiece in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) drilled a home run to right.
In the sixth, Limestone again went ahead, this time on a sacrifice fly to left by Madison Chappell which drove in Wilbur. With two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the sixth, Williams smacked a single up the middle to score Scaggs, again tying the contest.
The seventh frame saw both squads get runners aboard but the defenses held strong and extra innings were in the works. The Saints moved their runner to third base with the first at bat, but a fly out and a groundout ended the threat.
In the bottom of the eighth, E&H moved its runner on the first at bat as well as freshman Rachel Hill (Stanardsville, Va.) reached on a fielding error. A play at the plate on a fielder's choice nearly went the Wasps way but the runner was called out. Rachon was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Street walked the contest off on the next at bat with a single up the middle, giving the Wasps the 5-4 win.
Adkins tossed a gem in the circle, scattering four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and just one walk. Haley White suffered the loss for the Saints, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk in 1.1 innings pitched.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 2, Limestone 1
The Saints again struck early, plating a run in the top of the first. A pair of base knocks got things started before a double play stemmed the tide. However, Chappell notched the fourth base hit of the inning with two outs, driving in Wilbur from third.
In the bottom of the frame, E&H answered with a pair of runs. Williams reached on a leadoff single and advanced to second on a throwing error. With two outs later in the frame, junior designated player Morgan Silvis (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) drilled a two-run home run to left to give the Wasps the lead, 2-1.
Limestone got runners aboard in the second and third, but was unable to generate enough offense to affect the scoreline. E&H put a pair on the corners in the bottom half of the third inning but a fly out ended the inning and kept it a one run game.
Adkins took control in the circle, sitting the Saints down 1-2-3 in the final four innings and slamming the door on any chance of a comeback as the Wasps took game two, 2-1.
Adkins again twirled stellar contest, allowing just one run on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Makayla Cyzick took the loss, permitting two runs on just three hits with three walk and six strikeouts.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will close out the season next Sunday, April 30 with a doubleheader against Bluefield State University. First pitch between the Wasps and Lady Blues is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
The doubleheader will serve as E&H's annual Celebrate Differences Day in support of Autism Awareness.
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