BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Softball Team (22-10) picked up another run-rule sweep over Bluefield State University (6-13) on a blustery afternoon Saturday. The Wasps won game one by a 12-2 score and closed out the day with a 20-5 victory.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 12, Bluefield State 2 (five innings)
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 20, Bluefield State 5 (five innings)
LOCATION – Bluefield, Virginia
VENUE – Graham Recreational Park
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (22-10, 3-3 SAC); Bluefield State (6-13, 0-0 CIAA)
Game One – Emory & Henry 12, Bluefield State 2 (five innings)
Emory & Henry scored four runs in the top of the first highlighted by RBI base hits by freshman catcher Hannah Booth (Longwood, Fla.) and sophomore left fielder Karsen Simpson (Salisbury, N.C.).
In the second, the Wasps extended their lead to 7-0 thanks in part to a solo home run by sophomore third baseman Tristyn Tofano (Roanoke, Va.). BSU responded with two in the bottom of the inning as Julianna Constanzo hit a ball that rode the wind over the right field fence.
E&H got five more runs in the third with senior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, Va.) tagging a two-run shot to centerfield. Freshman shortstop Sawyer Tolley (Bedford, Va.) also notched a RBI base knock in the frame to cap the scoring at 12-2.
Wasp sophomore Destiny Good (Staunton, Va.) earned the victory, allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts in four innings pitched. Natalie Quezada took the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits with three walks in two innings.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 20, Bluefield State 5 (five innings)
The Wasps stormed out to an 11-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to nine hits, two walks and a hit batsman. Senior first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.), fifth-year left fielder Katelyn Siekerka (El Cajon, Calif.), Tolley and Tofano each posted two-RBI base hits as E&H sent 16 batters to the plate in the inning.
In the second, Emory & Henry scored six more to extend its lead to 17-0 as freshman catcher Liberty Johnson (Arvonia, Va.) hit a two-run double to highlight the frame. The Big Blue got on the board in the bottom of the second on a single to centerfield by Janessah Nappi.
E&H added single runs in the third and fourth on a solo home run by senior rightfielder Grace Harper (Williamsburg, Va.) and a bases-loaded ground ball by senior centerfielder Emma Anderson (King William, Va.).
BSU pushed four across in the fourth to make it a 19-5 contest. Kyla Jones had a RBI single to left-center while Nappi added a run-scoring base knock down the left field line to highlight the frame. The Wasps closed out the scoring at 20-5 in the top of the fifth as sophomore catcher Alex Graham (Thomasville, N.C.) smacked a home run over to right-center.
Emory & Henry senior pitcher Olivia Yates (Floyd, Va.) got the win in the circle, allowing just one hit in one inning of relief. Wasp senior MaKayla Dowdy (Blacksburg, Va.) scattered one run on two hits in two innings of play. BSU's Maggie Mullin was settled with the loss, allowing 16 runs on 12 hits in just 1.1 innings.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns to South Atlantic Conference action on Tuesday when it travels to face the University of Virginia's College at Wise. First pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
---E&H---