EMORY, Va. – The King (Tenn.) University Softball Team (11-7) picked up a pair of victories over border rival Emory & Henry University (18-10) Tuesday afternoon. The Tornado won the opening contest by a 9-3 score and rounded out the day with a 12-8 win.
The Basics
GAME ONE – King (Tenn.) 9, Emory & Henry 3
GAME TWO – King (Tenn.) 12, Emory & Henry 8
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (18-10, 1-3 SAC); King (Tenn.) (11-7, 0-0 Carolinas)
Game One – King (Tenn.) 9, Emory & Henry 3
King got on the board with two runs in the top of the fourth as Carlie Sheets and Alyssa Suits each posted RBI base knocks. E&H close the gap to 2-1 in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by freshman shortstop Sawyer Tolley (Bedford, Va.).
The Tornado scored once in the fifth and three times in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run double by Alena Demakas to make the score 6-1. They added three more in the top of the seventh as Autumn Campbell cleared the bases with a triple down the right-field line to go up 9-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Wasps got two runs back on a two-run shot to left-center by senior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, Va.) but would get no closer than the final 9-3 margin.
King's Sophia Waters earned the win in the circle, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts in four innings. Kaylee Meeks picked up the three-inning save, scattering two runs on four hits with two walks. E&H junior Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) suffered the loss, allowing nine runs on 12 hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
Game Two – King (Tenn.) 12, Emory & Henry 8
Emory & Henry opened up a 2-0 lead in the first as senior first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) plated two on a single through the right side. The Tornado answered with two in the top of the second as Sheets and Suits notched another pair of RBI base knocks.
In the bottom of the third, the Wasps scored six runs to go up, 8-2. Freshman third baseman Hannah Booth (Longwood, Fla.) drilled her first collegiate home run down the left field line to score two and get things started. With the bases loaded, an error on the left fielder saw three runs cross the plate and junior second baseman Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.) drove in King with a double to left field.
King responded by scoring nine in the top of the fourth on eight hits and two E&H errors. Katie Ryan drove in a pair with a double to right-center while Suites had a pair of RBI base knocks in the frame. The Tornado added one more in the sixth for the final 12-8 margin.
Kylee Horsley earned the win in relief for King, allowing two earned runs on three hits and three walks in 1.2 innings. Olesia Walch entered in the fourth and finished the game, allowing no runs on three hits with two strikeouts. Wasp sophomore Destiny Good (Staunton, Va.) took the loss as she permitted 10 runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings pitched.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns to South Atlantic Conference action on Wednesday, hosting Mars Hill University at 1:00 p.m.
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