Emory Postgame Press Conference


The No. 9-ranked Emory softball team saw its 2016 season come to an end Saturday afternoon as it dropped an elimination game to No. 15 Rowan University at the NCAA D-III Championships in Salem, Virginia. The Eagles finished out the campaign with an overall record of 46-8 after coming out on the short end of a 7-4 verdict to the Profs who raised their slate to 42-10.

Emory recorded 11 hits, its 23 double-figure effort of the year, compared to Rowan's seven safeties, but stranded a total of 11 runs on base.  Sophomore first baseman Ashley Powers went 3-for-4 at the plate to highlight the Eagles' attack, while senior Alyssa Pollard delivered a pair of hits in four plate appearances.  Emory struck early with a pair of runs in the top of the first, thanks to a two-run single by sophomore Janelle Turnquest that scored Pollard and junior Taylor Forte.  Turnquest ended the year with 64 RBIs, the second-highest total in program history and just one shy of tying the program standard. Emory's lead was short-lived as Rowan knotted the score in the bottom of the frame, courtesy of a two-run homer by Ashley DeYoung, her 13^th round tripper of the campaign. 

Rowan got some separation from Emory in the third when it scored three unearned runs, the last two as a result of a double by Damiriz Mercado. A two-out, bases-loaded walk in the fourth extended the Profs' lead to 6-2, but the Eagles responded with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth.  A one-out double by Powers jump-started the rally that saw pinch runner Raygan Greer score the first run as a result of a throwing error, and then Pollard singling in freshman Jenna Wilson. However, Rowan tacked on another run in the bottom of the inning, and then survived an Emory comeback bid that saw it bring the tying run to the plate in the seventh.

Junior pitcher Brittany File took the loss, going three innings and giving up six runs, three of which were unearned, four hits and striking out two.  File ended the season with a record of 36-6, with her victory total a school season record, as were her 343 strikeouts.  MacKenzie Juodaitis picked up the win for Rowan, her ninth in 11 decisions.

Saturday's season finale capped the careers for Pollard, Melody Carter and Hannah Sendel, who saw her campaign cut short six games into 2016. Pollard, a starter in 51 of 53 games, finished second on the squad in hitting with a mark of .389 and tied for first with 63 hits, good for a seventh-place tie on the program's seasonal chart.  Carter drew 52 starting nods in 53 contests and came through with an effort of .370 at the plate (60 of 162).  Her 57 RBIs were second on the club and tied for the program's sixth-highest total.