WISE, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Softball Team (23-11, 4-4 SAC) split its South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with Southwest Virginia rival the University of Virginia's College at Wise (16-15, 2-6 SAC). The Cavaliers eked out a 2-1 victory in the first game of the day with the Wasps taking the nightcap by a 5-1 margin.
The Basics
GAME ONE – UVA Wise 2, Emory & Henry 1
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 5, UVA Wise 1
LOCATION – Wise, Virginia
VENUE – Bill Gatton Softball Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (23-11, 4-4 SAC); UVA Wise (16-15, 2-6 SAC)
Game One – UVA Wise 2, Emory & Henry 1
The Cavaliers got on the board in the bottom of the first when Taylor Clay scored on a ground ball by Lindsey Polan. Wise extended its lead to 2-0 in the second on a base knock through the left side by Adyson Gibson.
The contest descended into a pitchers' duel with the only real threat between the third and the six coming in the bottom of the fourth when UVA Wise loaded the bases with two outs but the E&H defense held strong to keep it a 2-0 contest.
Down to their final three outs in the top of the seventh, the Wasps got a lead-off single from senior first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) and put runners on the corners with a base knock by freshman catcher Hannah Booth (Longwood, Fla.). Senior designated player Olivia Yates (Floyd, Va.) made it a 2-1 contest with a sacrifice fly but Emory & Henry would get no closer.
Wise's Alivia Nolley earned the complete-game victory, scattering one run on three hits and two walks. Wasp junior Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) suffered the hard-luck loss, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 5, UVA Wise 1
The Cavaliers got things started as Kaylynn Baker drove in Gibson with a single up the middle. Emory & Henry responded in the top of the second when senior centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) hit a bases-loaded triple to make it a 3-1 Wasp advantage.
E&H extended its lead to 4-1 in the fourth as freshman catcher Liberty Johnson (Arvonia, Va.) tagged a solo home run over the centerfield wall. Wise loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the frame but the Wasps retired the next three batters to keep the Cavs off the board.
In the sixth, Emory & Henry tacked on another run as sophomore left fielder Karsen Simpson (Salisbury, N.C.) hit a sacrifice fly for what would be the 5-1 final score.
Reeves bounced back to get the win, allowing just one run on eight hits with three strikeouts. Bayleigh Allison permitted four runs on six hits in three innings as she took the loss.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns home on Saturday to face Catawba College in a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. The twin-billing will also serve as the inaugural Tommy Forrester Memorial Day in support of the Glioblastoma Foundation.
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