WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (3-7) split a pair of contests on Tuesday afternoon at Blixt Field. The Spirits picked up a come-from-behind win, 7-4, in game one while the Wasps dominated game two, 13-0, to win in five innings.
Game One – Salem 7, Emory & Henry 4
In the top of the third, Emory & Henry got on the board with the first run of the game. A two-out single by senior shortstop Jenae Morrissey (Utica, N.Y.) started things and an error and hit batsman loaded the bases. Sophomore third baseman Martha Fluharty (Halifax, N.C.) then singled, scoring Morrissey.
The Wasps added a second run in the fifth. After senior left fielder Nicole Holdaway (Blacksburg, Va.) reached on an error by the centerfielder to lead off the inning, a double by Morrissey drove her in to make the score 2-0.
Salem finally got its offense in gear in the bottom of the sixth. The Spirits put up nine hits in the frame, scoring seven runs highlighted by a two-run double and a two-run single. After the first two batters were retired, Salem reeled off seven straight hits in the inning to go up 7-2.
Emory & Henry was able to get two runs back in the top of the seventh frame. A leadoff single by Morrissey set the stage for junior catcher Ashley Ebersole (Maurertown, Va.) to hit her first home run of the season to close the gap to 7-4. The Wasps would get two more on base but could not plate any more runs.
Salem's Nickerson was credited with the win scattering six hits and four runs over seven innings of work while striking out 11. Emory & Henry freshman Katie Grimm (Staunton, Va.) suffered the loss while striking out three.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 13, Salem 0
The Wasps jumped out on the Spirits with four runs in the top of the first. A two-run double by junior designated player Veronica Blankenship (Roanoke, Va.) highlighted the frame for E&H.
Emory & Henry got five more runs in the third. Inconsistent pitching including a hit batsman and three wild pitches plagued the Salem defense as the Wasps went the entire frame without a base hit, but still extended its lead to 9-0.
In the top of the fifth, E&H put the nail in the coffin. With two runners on, Morrissey singled to score them both. On the next at bat, Ebersole hit her second round-tripper of the day.
Sophomore Jennifer True (Utica, N.Y.) picked up the win for E&H in the circle, pitching five shutout innings with five hits and four strikeouts. Hoey took the loss for Salem.
On the day, Morrissey went four-for-six with four runs and three RBI while Ebersole was three-for-six with two home runs and four RBI.
Emory & Henry will open the home portion of its 2012 schedule on Saturday afternoon when it faces off against Averett University. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
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