EMORY, Va. – The No. 17 Emory & Henry College Softball Team (19-3, 9-1 ODAC) remained atop the Old Dominion Athletic Conference standings with a doubleheader sweep of Ferrum College (11-17, 2-8 ODAC) Thursday afternoon. The Wasps picked up an 8-1 win in game one and notched a walk-off 1-0 victory in the nightcap.
The Basics
GAME ONE – No. 17 Emory & Henry 8, Ferrum 1
GAME TWO – No. 17 Emory & Henry 1, Ferrum 0
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (19-3, 9-1 ODAC); Ferrum (11-17, 2-8 ODAC)
Game One – No. 17 Emory & Henry 8, Ferrum 1
Emory & Henry got out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run home run by senior designated player Alex Braun (Lexington, S.C.). The Wasps pushed their lead to 3-0 after two as junior second baseman Hailey Mince (Trinity, N.C.) plated sophomore right fielder Emily Scaggs (Riner, Va.) with a double to centerfield.
In the third, E&H pushed five runs across for an 8-0 lead highlighted by a two-run single up the middle by senior third baseman Allyson Steadman (Kingsport, Tenn.). The Wasps also scored twice in the frame on double steals.
Down to their final three outs before the game would be called via the "Eight-Run Advantage" Rule, the Panthers got a one-out hit from Tori Scott which drove in Erin Nelson for the 8-1 score. Both teams had chances in the waning moments of the game but the 8-1 margin held.
Senior right-hander Cameron Derr (Denver, N.C.) earned the win, allowing one run on five hits while striking out 11. Nelson suffered the loss for Ferrum, allowing five runs on five hits in 2.1 innings of work.
Game Two – No. 17 Emory & Henry 1, Ferrum 0
The Wasps and Panthers got two base-runners each on in the first inning but neither team was able to score. The middle innings of the game went without much action as both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm.
Ferrum put a pair of runners on with two outs in the top of the seventh but Braun came up big with her seventh and final strikeout of the game to retire the side. Facing extra innings in a scoreless game, Emory & Henry got its offense going. With one out, Mince hit a line-drive single off the first baseman's glove to get aboard. A stolen base put her in scoring position for junior centerfielder Anna Thomas (Climax, N.C.) who doubled over the left fielder's head to score Mince and end the game, 1-0.
Braun earned her fourth shutout of the year to move to 9-2, striking out seven while allowing five hits. Lindsey Sears was settled with the loss, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out two.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will be on the road Saturday for a doubleheader against Bridgewater College. First pitch will be at 2:00 p.m.
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