EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (7-11) picked up its first doubleheader sweep of the season Monday afternoon, defeating the University of Maine at Presque Isle, 10-0 and 5-0.
Game One – Emory & Henry 10, Maine-Presque Isle 0 (five innings)
Emory & Henry jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first inning. The Wasps took advantage of two Owl errors in the frame and also got a RBI single by sophomore pitcher Jennifer True (Utica, N.Y.).
In the bottom of the second, E&H added two runs to go up 7-0. An error by the left fielder allowed junior catcher Ashley Ebersole (Maurertown, Va.) to score from first base while the Wasps got another run on a RBI groundout by junior designated player Veronica Blankenship (Roanoke, Va.).
The Wasps plated two more runs in the third on a single by Ebersole to make the score 9-0 and would get another in the fourth for a 10-0 advantage.
After the Owls were unable to score in the top of the fifth, the contest was called due to the conditions of the Eight-Run Advantage Rule being reached.
True picked up the shutout win in the circle for E&H, scattering four hits and three strikeouts over five innings of work. Ebersole was two-for-two at the plate with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored. Blankenship had two RBI and two runs scored as well for the Wasps.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 5, Maine-Presque Isle 0
Emory & Henry freshman pitcher Brandy Bryant (Salem, Va.) made her debut after sustaining an injury in the preseason and did not disappoint. The Glenvar High School graduate struck out 14 in seven innings and allowed just four hits, earning the shutout victory.
Bryant's 14 strikeouts are the most since Shannon Harris sent down 15 batters on March 22, 2007 against Virginia Intermont.
The Wasps took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a two-run home run by True which was set up by a one-out infield single by senior left fielder Nicole Holdaway (Blacksburg, Va.).
In the fourth, E&H added two runs to extend the margin to 4-0. A bunt single by Ebersole with runners on second and third plated one and freshman designated player Bethany Anderson (Dublin, Va.) followed it with a RBI single to right field.
Emory & Henry got another run in the fifth inning. Ebersole got her second RBI of the game on a single to the shortstop to make the final score 5-0.
True was two-for-three on the game with two RBI and a run scored while freshman second baseman Jelisa McFadden (Lake City, S.C.) and junior right fielder Courtney Perkinson (Chesapeake, Va.) were two-for-three as well. Ebersole finished the game two-for-four with two RBI.
Emory & Henry will remain at home on Wednesday when it welcomes Guilford College in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action. The Wasps and Quakers are set to begin at 3:00 p.m.
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