EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (23-16) closed out the 2023 season with an offensive outpouring as it won a pair of games against Bluefield State University (6-36) Sunday afternoon. The Wasps claimed game one by an 8-0 margin and unloaded for a 23-1 victory in game two.
The 23 runs scored were the most by an E&H team since defeating Sweet Briar College by a 27-1 scoreline on April 22, 2012. The Wasps scored 12 runs in the second inning of that contest on their way to the win.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 8, Bluefield State 0 (five innings)
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 23, Bluefield State 1 (five innings)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (23-16, 16-8 SAC); Bluefield State (6-36)
Game One – Emory & Henry 8, Bluefield State 0 (five innings)
Emory & Henry jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning with sophomore first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) plating a pair with a double down the left field line. On the next at bat, junior designated player Morgan Silvis (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) poked a single to right-center to drive in Taylor.
In the third, the Wasps pushed their margin to 4-0 on a solo home run by Taylor over the left field fence. E&H made it a 5-0 contest through four thanks to a sacrifice fly by freshman third baseman Ashlyn Rachon (Greeneville, Tenn.).
Emory & Henry ended the game in the bottom of the fifth as Silvis stroked a three-run homer to left for the final 8-0 margin.
Junior pitcher Avery Adkins (Goodview, Va.) earned the shutout victory, becoming the second player in program history to win 20 games in a season. She allowed just three hits while striking out five. Maggie Mullin took the loss for BSU, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks in three-plus innings.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 23, Bluefield State 1 (five innings)
E&H scored 12 runs in the bottom of the first to take control, sending 16 batters to the plate. Sophomore Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) had a three-run double down the right field line while Taylor tagged a three-run shot to center later in the frame. Silivs made it back-to-back homers for the Wasps, knocking a round-tripper on the next at bat.
The Wasps pushed the lead to 13-0 in the second on a single that kissed off the third base bag by sophomore Grace Harper (Williamsburg, Va.). In the third, E&H put another five runs across for an 18-0 advantage. Senior right fielder Emily Scaggs (Riner, Va.) swatted a two-run bomb to center to highlight the frame.
Bluefield State finally got on the board in the top of the fourth. Maurincia Demmings hit a leadoff single down the left field line. Lexi Shadowens then took over on the base path, reaching second on an error and advancing to third on a fielder's choice. She came home two batters later, as La'Naeyah Ayers hit a RBI ground ball to the pitcher for an 18-1 contest.
Emory & Henry capped the scoring in the bottom of the fourth, with five more runs. Freshman second baseman Kylie Cundiff (Roanoke, Va.) and junior third baseman Amy Meister (Mooresville, N.C.) each had RBI base knocks in the frame.
Sophomore MaKayla Dowdy (Blacksburg, Va.) picked up the win in the circle, scattering one unearned run on three hits and two walks while striking out three in four innings. Bluefield State's Kylie Salazar was settled with the loss, allowing nine run on five hits in less than an inning of work.
---E&H---