JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (2-1) went 1-1 on the day Saturday as it continued competition at the B-SC Spring Classic. The Wasps fell, 7-4, to the Lions of Mount St. Joseph University (1-0) to start the day but bounced back in the nightcap with a 12-2 run-rule victory over Covenant College (0-2).
The Basics
GAME ONE – Mount St. Joseph 7, Emory & Henry 4
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 12, Covenant 2 (five innings)
LOCATION – Jacksonville, Ala.
VENUE – University Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-1, 0-0 ODAC); Covenant (0-2, 0-0 USA South); Mount St. Joseph (1-0, 0-0 HCAC)
Game One – Mount St. Joseph 7, Emory & Henry 4
E&H got out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second as senior catcher Alex Thomas (Orlando, Fla.) hit a solo home run to left field and junior second baseman Kyndall Hiatt (Ararat, Va.) added a RBI triple. Both squads scored single runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to make the score 4-2 in favor of the Wasps.
In the top of the seventh, the Lions pushed five runs across to take a 7-4 lead. Sara Kardos and Rachel Gabbard each drove in a pair with singles in the inning. E&H was unable to get a runner aboard in the bottom of the frame as MSJ grabbed the come-from-behind victory.
Sarah Miller earned the win for Mount St. Joseph, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings while Kamryn McCool picked up the save, facing three batters in the seventh. E&H junior Cameron Derr (Cornelius, N.C.) suffered the loss, allowing three unearned runs in one inning of work.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 12, Covenant (five innings)
The Wasps got one run in the first off the bat of senior shortstop Leanna Toler (Abingdon, Va.). In the second, E&H broke the game open with five runs, highlighted by a two-run double to left center by junior first baseman/left fielder Kendall Varner (Bassett, Va.).
Five more runs for Emory & Henry in the third pushed the lead to 11-0 as Varner tagged a three-run shot over the centerfield fence. Covenant scored once in the bottom of the third as Emma Gillere hit a RBI single down the right field line to spoil the shutout.
E&H made it 12-1 in the fourth as freshman Amanda Koeppe (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly. The Scots added another run in the bottom of the fourth but would get no closer as the Eight-Run Advantage Rule ended the game after the fifth inning.
Senior right-hander Tiffany Cole (Wise, Va.) earned the abbreviated complete-game win, allowing one earned run on four hits with four strikeouts. Covenant's Lauren Kierpa was settled with the loss, permitting eight runs on seven hits and two walks in just 2.1 innings pitched.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will conclude the B-SC Spring Classic on Sunday with a contest against No. 24 DePauw University. First pitch will be at 9:00 a.m. CST.
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