EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (24-11) gabbed a pair of shutout victories over visiting Bluefield State College (2-19) Saturday afternoon. The Wasps won game one by an 8-0 score and claimed the victory in game two by a 16-0 margin. The contest served as the Wasps' annual Celebrating Differences Day in support of those on the Autism spectrum.
Additionally, with her home run in game one, freshman shortstop Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) set a new E&H record for home runs in a season at 13. The Wasps also saw fifth-year players Allyson Steadman (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Kendall Varner (Bassett, Va.) set a new record for wins in a four-year period at 109 (2018-19, 21-22).
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 8, Bluefield State 0 (five innings)
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 16, Bluefield State 0 (five innings)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (24-11); Bluefield State (2-19)
Game One – Emory & Henry 8, Bluefield State 0 (five innings)
The Wasps got on the board in the bottom of the first as Taylor slugged her record-breaking home run, a three-run shot to centerfield. Two more runs came across in the second for a 5-0 lead as freshman centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) hit a sacrifice fly and senior second baseman Hailey Mince (Trinity, N.C.) doubled to left-center.
In the third, the Wasps pushed the margin to 7-0 thanks to a double by sophomore pitcher Avery Adkins (Goodview, Va.) and another sacrifice fly by Steadman. E&H made it an 8-0 contest in the fourth as sophomore Desi Norris (Sims, N.C.) drove in Williams. E&H preserved the shutout with a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth for the run-rule victory.
Adkins earned the win in the circle, pitching the first three innings in no-hit fashion with five strikeouts. Kennedy James suffered the loss for the Lady Blues, allowing seven runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 16, Bluefield State 0 (five innings)
In the second, E&H got on the board as junior designated player Dacey Jenkins (Knoxville, Tenn.) singled through the left side.
The Wasps put 12 runs across in the third to lead 13-0. Mince drove in a pair on a squeeze play for a base hit, Taylor plated two with a double, Jenkins pushed another two across with an infield hit and Norris capped the inning with a two-run single through the left side.
In the fourth, Emory & Henry added three more for the final 16-0 margin. Junior Emily Scaggs (Riner, Va.) had a two-run single up the middle to highlight the frame.
Freshman MaKayla Dowdy (Blacksburg, Va.) earned the win, scattering two hits, a walk and a strikeout over three innings. BSC's Madison Thompson took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits in two-plus innings.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will visit future South Atlantic Conference foe Lenoir-Rhyne University on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.
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