EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (2-0) opened the NCAA Division II era with a sweep of future South Atlantic Conference rival Mars Hill University (0-2) Tuesday afternoon. The Wasps took game one by an 8-0 run-rule margin and picked up a 6-5 walk-off win in the nightcap.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 8, Mars Hill 0 (six innings)
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 6, Mars Hill 5
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-0); Mars Hill (0-2, 0-0 SAC)
Game One – Emory & Henry 8, Mars Hill 0 (six innings)
E&H got on the board in the bottom of the first as sophomore catcher Morgan Silvis (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) drilled a two-run home run to left-centerfield. The Wasps made it 4-0 after two thanks to a single through the left side by senior centerfielder Anna Thomas (Climax, N.C.) which drove in a pair.
In the third, Emory & Henry pushed the margin to 5-0 when senior left fielder Nicole Cox (Cedar Falls, N.C.) drew a bases-loaded walk and two batters later extended the lead to seven as freshman first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) singled past the third baseman.
The Wasps ended the game in the bottom of the sixth. With two on and no outs, junior designated player Emily Scaggs (Riner, Va.) got a base knock through the left side to drive in junior Julia Street (Glade Spring, Va.) from second base for the 8-0 final score.
Sophomore right-hander Avery Adkins (Goodview, Va.) scattered seven hits and three strikeouts over six innings for the shutout win in her first career start. MHU's Kayla Gallagher suffered the loss, allowing seven runs on five hits and seven walks despite striking out four.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 6, Mars Hill 5
Mars Hill took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a home run by Marissa Adame and extended its advantage to 3-0 on a single to centerfield by Alicia Wittenhagen in the third.
E&H responded with a two-run home run by Taylor in the bottom of the fourth to close the gap to 3-2 but the Lions scored twice in the fifth to push it back to a three-run game.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Taylor hit her second home run of the game, this time a three-run blast to tie the contest at five runs apiece. The Wasps got the walk-off in the bottom of the seventh as Thomas drove in Cox from first base with a double to the centerfield wall.
Adkins earned her second win of the day, striking out the side in the seventh inning. Thomas made her debut in the circle, getting the start, while freshmen MaKayla Dowdy (Blacksburg, Va.) and Olivia Yates (Floyd, Va.) were also effective in relief. Adame struck out eight in 6.1 innings as she allowed four earned runs on seven hits.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will be on the road this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders beginning with a trip to Barton College on Saturday at noon. The Wasps will face Elizabeth City State University on Sunday at noon as well.
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