Bristol, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team got back on the winning track Saturday afternoon, earning an 9-1 victory over Shepherd in 5 innings on Day 1 of the King University Tournament.

The Basics
FINAL - Emory & Henry 9, Shepherd 1 (5 inn.)
LOCATION – Bristol, Tennessee
VENUE – King Softball Complex
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-3, 0-0 SAC); Shepherd (0-2, 0-0 PSAC)

How It Happened
The Rams jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning, but Emory & Henry took control with four runs in the bottom of the second. Senior designated player Desi Norris (Sims, N.C.) started the rally with a leadoff single, and the Wasps loaded the bases with nobody out after a walk and a hit by pitch. Junior centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) knotted the score with an RBI groundout, and E&H took the lead on a two-run single off the bat of junior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, Va.). The Wasps made it a 4-0 advantage when junior first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) doubled King home.

Emory & Henry added another run in the third on a Norris RBI groundout, and the Wasps broke it open with three more runs in the fourth on run-scoring knocks by King, Taylor, and sophomore shortstop Rachel Hill (Stanardsville, Va.). Senior left fielder Kenzie Ingo (Wytheville, Va.) led off the fifth with a walk for E&H and came around to score the walk-off run on a double steal with runners at first and third later in the inning.

Junior MaKayla Dowdy (Blacksburg, Va.) earned the win in the circle for the Wasps, scattering two hits and two walks while striking out four Rams. King and Taylor were both 2-for-3 to lead the E&H offense. Hannah Ruffner suffered the loss for Shepherd, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits in three-plus innings of work.

Up Next
Emory & Henry will conclude action in the King Tournament on Sunday with a pair of games. The Wasps will face Shepherd at 10:00 a.m., and the host King Tornado at 2:00 p.m.

---E&H---