The Emory University Softball team dropped the first two games of the four-game weekend series with 13th-ranked Christopher Newport University Saturday afternoon in Atlanta, GA. The Eagles dropped to 9-5 following the double dip while the Captains improved to 9-1.
CNU scored three runs off senior Brittany File in the top of the seventh to rally for the come-from-behind 7-5 victory in game one.
In the nigh cap, the Captains built a 6-0 lead with a pair of three-run innings in the first and third. Emory plated four runs in the sixth to cut the deficit to two but CNU answered with two runs in the seventh en route to the 8-5 win.
Game One – Christopher Newport 7, Emory 5
After falling behind 3-0 in the early stages of the contest, the Eagles responded with a three spot in the bottom of the third to tie the game at three. Senior Amy Wray picked up a little league inside-the-park home run as she tripled down the right field line bringing around sophomore Cassie Baca and classmate Taylor Forte and was able to score on the play as well as the ball scooted away from the CNU third basemen.
Emory tacked on another run in the fourth inning as junior Janelle Turnquest recorded a pinch-hit double to the right centerfield wall to plate Forte with the go-ahead run.
The Captains knotted the game at four with a sac fly in the top half of the sixth but Forte put Emory back in front with an infield single in the bottom half of the inning, scoring sophomore Jenna Wilson.
However, Christopher Newport plated three runs in the seventh with the big blow coming on two-run double by Grace Wild to go on top 7-5.
File fell to 5-2 in the circle for the year, allowing seven runs (5 ER) on eight hits and a season-high seven walks. He struck out seven.
Baca and Forte each tallied a pair of base hits for the Eagles with Wray driving in two in a 1-for-4 effort.
Game Two – Christopher Newport 8, Emory 5
The Captains jumped out to a three-run lead as the first three batters reached base and came around to score off Emory starter sophomore Madeline Maday in the first inning. CNU tacked on three more runs in the third off freshman Sami Feller to extend their lead to 6-0.
After being held scoreless through the first five frames, the Eagles cut the deficit to two with a four-run six inning. Turnquest and freshman Jessy McLean scored the first Emory runs as the duo crossed home plate on a fielding error by the CNU third basemen. Junior Ashley Powers made it 6-3 with a run scoring single to bring home Wray. Freshman Jessie Michael later scampered home on a wild pitch for the fourth run in the inning.
Christopher Newport got two back in the seventh though off RBIs from Jenna Sprinkle and Leah Andrews.
The Eagles tried to mount another comeback in the seventh as McLean homered to left, her third of the season, with two outs in the seventh with Wray following with a single. However, Michael grounded into the fielder's choice to end the ballgame.
Emory and Christopher Newport will conclude their four-game weekend series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Atlanta is set for 12:00 PM.