EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (4-2) picked up its second split in a row on Wednesday, hosting Lees-McRae College (4-6) Wednesday afternoon. The Wasps notched a 10-3 victory in game one and came up short, 4-1, in the nightcap.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 10, Lees-McRae 3
GAME TWO – Lees-McRae 4, Emory & Henry 1
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (4-2); Lees-McRae (4-6, 0-0 Carolinas)
Game One – Emory & Henry 10, Lees-McRae 3
LMC got things started with a run in the top of the fifth as Rylie Webster singled through the left side to drive in Jordyn Scott. Emory & Henry responded in the bottom of the frame with three runs. Senior centerfielder Anna Thomas (Climax, N.C.) tied the game with a single through the right side and freshman shortstop Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) made it a 3-1 contest with a home run on the next at bat.
After a pair of RBI base hits by the Bobcats tied the game at three runs apiece in the top of the sixth, the Wasps' offensive machine began to fire on all cylinders as they pushed seven runs across thanks to three hits, three walks and a hit batsman. Taylor had a two-run single in the frame while senior second baseman Hailey Mince (Trinity, N.C.) drove in a run on a squeeze play and with an infield hit later in the inning for the final 10-3 margin.
Sophomore Avery Adkins (Goodview, Va.) picked up the complete-game win, scattering three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and just one walk. Jenna Bullard suffered the loss in relief for LMC, being chased after pitching just .2 of an inning.
Game Two – Lees-McRae 4, Emory & Henry 1
The Bobcats got on the board in the top of the fourth when Jada Wilson hit a RBI double to right-center. LMC made it 3-0 in the sixth after Lauren Ritchie hit a solo home run and Julie Gast drew a bases-loaded walk.
In the seventh, Lees-McRae pushed its advantage to 4-0 on a Jordyn Scott single down the right field line. E&H rallied in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases with one out. The Wasps spoiled the shutout when Thomas drove in sophomore Morgan Silvis (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) but would get no closer as the final score went down as 4-1.
Wilson earned the win, scattering one unearned run on two hits and four strikeouts despite walking seven. Freshman MaKayla Dowdy (Blacksburg, Va.) allowed two runs on six hits in five innings of work with two strikeouts.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will be at home this weekend with four games against Lincoln (Pa.) University. The Wasps and Lions will begin their series on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
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