The Emory softball team, playing its first games at home in over a year, split a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader vs. Piedmont. The Eagles captured the first game by a 3-0 count before Piedmont posted a 12-5 decision in the nightcap. Emory stands 6-2 on the season while Piedmont claims an 18-10 mark.
In the opener, senior Madison Schaefer tossed a complete-game gem to lead the Eagles, allowing six hits while striking out five and not allowing any walks. The win boosted Schaefer's mark to 6-0 on the campaign. Catcher Krista Colussi collected two of the team's five hits and drove in a pair of runs, the final one coming on a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth that staked the Eagles to a 2-0 advantage. Colussi accounted for the game's first run when she singled in senior Natalie Arreguin in the bottom of the third.
In the finale, freshman Page Nellis went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in a pair of runs while outfielders Sami Feller and Megan Weisenberg each hit safely twice to pace the Eagles' eight-hit attack. The Eagles were forced to play catch-up early as the Lions plated six runs in the top of the second. After Emory scored once in its half of that frame, courtesy of a Nellis single that scored Allie Moberg, the Lions crossed the plate on two more occasions in the top of the third. Facing an 11-2 deficit, Emory stayed alive by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth with Nellis and Feller coming through with run-producing singles. Piedmont pitcher Martina Maloch earned the win, her seventh in nine decisions, while Emory freshman Natalie Swift was saddled with the loss.
Emory returns to a to action on Saturday (May 1) when it plays host to No. 6 Birmingham Southern in a doubleheader starting at 2:00 pm.