HICKORY, N.C. – The #7 Emory & Henry University Softball Team (31-20) got the South Atlantic Conference Tournament started on Saturday afternoon, facing off against second-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne University (32-17). The Bears, who are receiving votes in the latest NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, won the opening game of the best-of-three series by a 5-1 score.

The Basics
FINAL SCORE – #2 Lenoir-Rhyne 5, #7 Emory & Henry 1
LOCATION – Hickory, North Carolina
VENUE – Shena Hollar Field at McCrorie Family Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (31-20, 12-12 SAC); Lenoir-Rhyne (32-17, 16-8 SAC)

How It Happened
The Wasps got on the board in the top of the first as junior second baseman Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.) drove in senior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, Va.) with a single down the left field line. LR threatened immediately, putting a pair of runners in scoring position, but the E&H defense held.

The next three innings came and went with little action before Lenoir-Rhyne tied the contest at one run apiece in the bottom of the fifth as Madison Primm drove in Katelyn Rackard with a two-out base knock to left field.

In the sixth, the Bears loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a trio of singles. LR broke the game open when Rackard hit a grand slam to right field for a 5-1 advantage. The Wasps were unable to generate any offense in the seventh as Lenoir-Rhyne took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Madison Wilson earned the win in the circle for LR, scattering one run on two hits with four walks and 11 strikeouts. E&H junior Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts.

Up Next
Emory & Henry will face Lenoir-Rhyne again on Saturday in game two of the best-of-three series at noon. The "if necessary" game will follow at 2:30 p.m.

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