HICKORY, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne University Softball Team (22-12, 9-3 SAC) picked up a pair of South Atlantic Conference wins over visiting Emory & Henry University (24-14, 5-7 SAC) Wednesday afternoon. The Bears took game one by a 12-2 score and closed out the sweep with an 18-5 victory in game two.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Lenoir-Rhyne 12, Emory & Henry 2 (five innings)
GAME TWO – Lenoir-Rhyne 18, Emory & Henry 5 (five innings)
LOCATION – Hickory, North Carolina
VENUE – Shena Hollar Field at McCrorie Family Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (24-14, 5-7 SAC); Lenoir-Rhyne (22-12, 9-3 SAC)
Game One – Lenoir-Rhyne 12, Emory & Henry 2 (five innings)
The Wasps got the scoring started in the top of the second on a two-run double by fifth-year left fielder Katelyn Siekerka (El Cajon, Calif.). In the bottom of the frame, LR cut the lead in half when Kaylee Chapman drove in a run with a single up the middle.
In the third, the Bears took the lead, 7-2, pushing six runs across on six base hits. Cassidy Wall opened the frame with a two-run single up the middle while Katelyn Rackard drove in two later in the frame with a home run to right field.
Lenior-Rhyne tacked on five runs in the fourth to extend the margin to 12-2. Rackard came up again with the long ball, this time one of the three-run variety to highlight the inning. E&H was unable to cut into the lead as the Bears claimed the run-rule win after four-and-a-half.
Madison Wilson picked up the abbreviated complete-game victory for LR, scattering two runs on six hits with four runs and four strikeouts. Wasp junior Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in 2.2 innings of work.
Game Two – Lenoir-Rhyne 18, Emory & Henry 5 (five innings)
The Bears got on the board in the bottom of the first as Madison Primm hit a three-run home run to right field for a 3-0 lead.
E&H immediately responded with four runs in the second as sophomore shortstop Karsen Simpson (Salisbury, N.C.) and senior first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) each posted two-run singles for a 4-3 advantage.
Lenior-Rhyne regained the advantage in the bottom of the frame thanks to eight runs, highlighted by two run doubles by Julia Mardigian and Wall to go ahead, 11-4. The Wasps got a run back in the top of the fourth on a solo home run to left field by senior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, Va.).
In the bottom of the fourth, LR made it an 18-5 game thanks in part to three-run shots by Alycea Gilliam and Alexandria Gray.
Alissa Russ earned the win in relief, pitching 2.2 innings as she allowed one run on five hits. E&H sophomore Destiny Good (Staunton, Va.) suffered the loss, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits in just 1.1 innings of work.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns home on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m., South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with Coker University.
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