HARROGATE, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry University Softball Team (17-5, 1-1 SAC) got the South Atlantic Conference regular season started on Tuesday, splitting with No. 23 Lincoln Memorial University (17-6, 1-1 SAC). The Railsplitters claimed a 4-0 win to start the day with the Wasps responding to win the nightcap, 3-0.
The Basics
GAME ONE – No. 23 Lincoln Memorial 4, Emory & Henry 0
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 3, No. 23 Lincoln Memorial 0
LOCATION – Harrogate, Tennessee
VENUE – Dorothy Neely Softball Complex
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (17-5, 1-1 SAC); Lincoln Memorial (17-6, 1-1 SAC)
Game One – No. 23 Lincoln Memorial 4, Emory & Henry 0
The first three innings of the game went by quickly with neither team able to get on the board. In the bottom of the fourth, LMU finally broke through as Nicole Couvertiere drove in Cassidy Hack with a RBI groundout.
In the fifth, the Lady Railsplitters made it a 2-0 contest on a double steal play with Ryan Williams crossing the plate. LMU pushed its advantage to 4-0 on a two-run single through the left side by Williams for the final runs of the game.
Halle Grace Patton picked up the one-hit shutout victory for Lincoln Memorial, with one walk and one strikeout. E&H junior Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 3, No. 23 Lincoln Memorial 0
Emory & Henry got things started with two runs in the top of the seconds. Freshman designated player Hannah Booth (Longwood, Fla.) posted a RBI single in her first career at bat, driving in freshman catcher Liberty Johnson (Arvonia, Va.). Freshman shortstop Sawyer Tolley (Bedford, Va.) added another run with a sacrifice fly later in the frame for the 2-0 lead.
The two defenses dominated for the next four innings before the top of the seventh inning. The Wasps pushed their advantage to 3-0 when senior centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) drove in sophomore Karsen Simpson (Salisbury, N.C.) on a bases-loaded ground ball.
LMU got two runners aboard in the bottom of the seventh but the E&H defense held strong to claim the 3-0 win and split the series.
Reeves scattered seven hits and three strikeouts to earn her second shutout of the season. Jasmine Kaylor took the loss for the Lady Railsplitters, allowing two runs on one hit with four walks in two innings of work.
Up Next
Emory & Henry travels to face Wingate University in a SAC doubleheader on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
---E&H---