EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Softball Team (6-7, 3-1 SAC) made history Wednesday afternoon in its first-ever home South Atlantic Conference doubleheader. The Wasps picked up their first league sweep over the visiting Pioneers of Tusculum University (11-10, 0-2 SAC) by scores of 2-0 and 5-1.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 2, Tusculum 0
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 5, Tusculum 1
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (6-7, 3-1 SAC); Tusculum (11-10, 0-2 SAC)
Game One – Emory & Henry 2, Tusculum 0
The Pioneers put a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs in the top of the first but the E&H defense held strong keep TU off the board. In the bottom of the frame, sophomore first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) drew a two out walk and came around to score when junior pitcher Avery Adkins (Goodview, Va.) tripled to right-center. Adkins came around to score on freshman shortstop Rachel Hill's (Standardsville, Va.) single through the left side.
Tusculum put multiple runners aboard in the second and third frames and also had runners in the fifth and sixth but was unable to break into the scoring column. The Wasps also struggled to find further offense but their defense held strong for the 2-0 win.
Adkins pitched a gem, scattering six hits and one walk to go along with seven strikeouts as she picked up the shutout. Emily Sappington suffered the loss, permitting two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts of her own.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 5, Tusculum 1
Tusculum got things started in the top of the first. With two outs and runners on first and third, Sammy Jimenez singled through the left side to drive in Kallyn Newport from third.
E&H responded in its half of the opening inning as junior designated player Morgan Silvis (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) found the left field corner with a one-out double to drive in a pair and make it a 2-1 contest.
The Wasps pushed the margin to 4-1 in the third as junior first baseman Desi Norris (Sims, N.C.) tagged a two-run home run over the centerfield wall for her first career round-tripper. Emory & Henry capped the scoring at 5-1 in the fourth as freshman third baseman Ashlyn Rachon (Greeneville, Tenn.) made her first collegiate hit one of the home-run variety.
Tusculum only got three more runners in scoring position for the rest of the afternoon as they saw their batters go down in order in the third, fourth and seventh.
Adkins made it a two-win day in the circle, allowing one run on six hits as she earned another complete-game victory. Ireland Cavanaugh took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits with three walks in four innings pitched.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will remain at home for another SAC doubleheader on Saturday against Mars Hill University. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
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