DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Emory & Henry University Softball Team (6-3) picked up a shutout sweep in day one of University of North Georgia's Gold City Classic Friday afternoon. The Wasps beat Emmanuel (Ga.) University (1-5) by a 5-0 score to start the day before dispatching perennial national power and No. 3 North Georgia (7-3), 9-0, in six innings.
The win over North Georgia marks the best win of any Emory & Henry program since joining NCAA Division II in the fall of 2021. The victory is also the Wasps' best over a highly-ranked opponent since defeating No. 1 Virginia Wesleyan University in the 2017 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 5, Emmanuel (Ga.) 0
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 9, No. 3 North Georgia 0 (six innings)
LOCATION – Dahlonega, Georgia
VENUE – Lynn Cottrell Park at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (6-3, 0-0 SAC); Emmanuel (Ga.) (1-5, 0-0 Carolinas); North Georgia (7-3, 0-0 PBC)
Game One – Emory & Henry 5, Emmanuel (Ga.) 0
Emory & Henry got on the board in the bottom of the third on a solo home run to centerfield by junior shortstop Rachel Hill (Stanardsville, Va.).
In the third, E&H junior second baseman Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.) and senior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, Va.) hit back-to-back one-out singles before sophomore third baseman Tristyn Tofano (Roanoke, Va.) loaded the bases with a walk. Freshman first baseman Liberty Johnson (Arvonia, Va.) broke open the game with one swing of the bat for a grand slam, pushing the Wasps' lead to 5-0.
The E&H defense hold strong with the lead, allowing just one base runner in the final four innings. Junior lefty Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) earned her first shutout in a Wasp uniform, scattering two hits and five strikeouts over the complete game. Emmanuel's Reagan Garrett took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in 2.1 innings of work.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 9, No. 3 North Georgia 0 (six innings)
Both teams threatened to score early, but the defenses held strong. The Wasps broke through in the top of the fifth when senior centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) hit a two-run double down the left field line. King made it a 3-0 contest on the next at bat with a double to centerfield, plating Williams.
Emory & Henry exploded for six runs in the sixth to make it a 9-0 contest. Hill swatted a two-run double to left to get things started. The Wasps drew three straight walks to push another run across the plate. Williams added another RBI with a base knock to left for a 7-0 lead and on the next at bat, junior left fielder Grace Harper scored from third on a wild pitch. E&H capped the scoring when King drove in Williams on a dropped fly ball by the centerfielder.
UNG got a pair of runners on with one out in the bottom of the sixth but the Wasp defense preserved the shutout for the 9-0 victory. It is the first time that North Georgia has been both shut out and run-ruled at home in the same game since 2007.
E&H sophomore right-hander Destiny Good (Staunton, Va.) earned the shutout, allowing eight hits and two walks while striking out one. Angelina Badalament suffered the loss for the Nighthawks, allowing four runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
Up Next
Emory & Henry is scheduled to face the Nighthawks (1:00 p.m.) and Lions (3:00 p.m.) again on Saturday to close out action in the Gold City Classic. Game times may be altered due to rain in the forecast.
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