EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Softball Team (14-3) made it 12 straight victories with a sweep of Virginia State University (1-5) Monday afternoon at home. The Wasps won game one by a 13-1 score in five innings and closed out the day with a 9-1 victory in a contest that also went five.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 13, Virginia State 1 (five innings)
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 9, Virginia State 1 (five innings)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (14-3, 0-0 SAC); Virginia State (1-5, 0-0 CIAA)
Game One – Emory & Henry 13, Virginia State 1 (five innings)
E&H stormed out to a 10-0 lead in the bottom of the first taking advantage of four walks and nine wild pitches. Sophomore third baseman Tristyn Tofano (Roanoke, Va.) drove in two with a base knock to center while senior centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) and senior designated player Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) recorded RBI singles.
The Wasps added a run in the second as freshman shortstop Sawyer Tolley (Bedford, Va.) scored on an error for an 11-0 advantage. VSU broke onto the scoreboard in the fourth when Shamya Hankins drove in Alaijah Pratt with a single up the middle.
In the bottom of the fourth, Emory & Henry added two more as Tolley doubled to left-center and junior Kylie Cundiff (Roanoke, Va.) had a base hit to left for the final 13-1 score.
E&H junior Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) earned the win, pitching three no-hit innings with three strikeouts. Daya McGee suffered the loss for the Trojans, being chased after allowing seven runs on one hit and three walks in just two-third of an inning.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 9, Virginia State 1 (five innings)
Emory & Henry scored twice in the first to get things started as junior designated player Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.) hit a sacrifice fly and freshman catcher Liberty Johnson (Arvonia, Va.) notched a base hit up the middle.
VSU closed the gap to 2-1 in the second when Chloe Garland doubled down the right field line, plating Nia Hall. The Wasps made it a 4-1 contest in the bottom of the frame as two runs scored on a throwing error by the shortstop.
E&H pushed three across in the fourth highlighted by a two-run home run by Taylor for a 7-1 score. In the bottom of the fifth, sophomore left fielder Karsen Simpson (Salisbury, N.C.) swatted a solo home run to put the Wasps within one of ending the game early. Four batters later, senior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, N.C.) hit a bases-loaded single up the middle to end the game, 9-1.
Wasp sophomore Destiny Good (Staunton, Va.) got the victory to improve to 5-0, scattering one run on four hits with one strikeout. Pratt took the loss, allowing eight runs on 10 hits in four-plus innings of work.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will travel to Young Harris College this weekend for a three-game set against the Mountain Lions. Saturday will feature a single game at 4:00 p.m., with Sunday's doubleheader beginning at noon.
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