BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (2-5) fell twice on Sunday in the final day of the King Tournament, hosted by King (Tenn.) University. The Wasps lost by an 8-0 score in six innings to Shepherd University to start the day and concluded the weekend with a 9-6 setback to host King in eight innings.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Shepherd 8, Emory & Henry 0 (six innings)
GAME TWO – King 9, Emory & Henry 6 (eight innings)
LOCATION – Bristol, Tennessee
VENUE – King Softball Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-5, 0-0 SAC);
Game One – Shepherd 8, Emory & Henry 0 (six innings)
Shepherd got on the board with three runs in the bottom of the second as Madelyn Chambers highlighted the frame with a two-run single through the right side. In the third, the Rams pushed their margin to 4-0 on a base knock by Isabella Forte.
Four more runs in the sixth gave SU the 8-0 margin to end the game early. Elizabeth Padiotis tallied a three-run home run to left field to make the score 7-0 and the game ended on a wild pitch when Cate Russian scored from third base.
Madalayne Ruffner allowed just two hits as she earned the shutout for Shepherd, striking out 13 batters while walking just two and hitting one. E&H freshman Bailey Payne (Fairview, N.C.) suffered the loss, allowing two earned runs on one hit and four walks in two-plus innings of work.
Game Two – King 9, Emory & Henry 6 (eight innings)
The Wasps got on the board in the top of the first when junior centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) scored when senior catcher Morgan Silvis (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) reached on an error. King tied things up in the bottom of the frame on a solo home run by Jessica Campbell.
In the second, the Tornado went ahead, 4-1 as Campbell plated a pair with a double to centerfield. She scored on the next at bat when Tinsley Thompson grounded out to second.
Emory & Henry knotted the contest at four runs apiece in the fourth on a three-run shot to left field by sophomore second baseman Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.). The Wasps went ahead 5-4 in the fourth when Williams stole home.
A pair of solo homers by Thompson and Alyssa Suits in the fourth pushed King back in the lead, 6-5, but E&H bounced back to make it 6-all on a single to right field by junior first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.).
After neither team was able to score in the seventh, the contest went to extra innings. The Tornado defense held in the top of the eighth and King walked the game off with a three-run home run by Haylee Dye for the final 9-6 score.
King's Hannah Fritts earned the win in relief, pitching 2.2 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just two hits. Street took the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out three in 3.2 innings of work.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will play its first home games of the year on Wednesday, hosting Lincoln (Pa.) University. First pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for noon.
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