The Emory University softball program finished conference play on Sunday afternoon falling to the WashU Bears in St. Louis, Missouri.
The first game had started on Friday afternoon before being suspended due to inclement weather. The Eagles fall to 24-16 on the season and finish 10-10 in conference play.
Game 1: WashU 5, Emory 3
After a quick top of the first inning, the Bears loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning before a walk brought in the first run of the game. Sophomore Mackenzie Duford started the game in the circle and was able to get out of the jam without allowing another run.
The Eagles were able to get two base runners in the top of the second inning while WashU also got a runner in the second inning but both teams were held scoreless. The Bears tacked on another run in the bottom of the third inning taking advantage of a wild pitch to take a 2-0 lead.
Senior Page Nellis started the top of the fourth with a single through the right side followed by back-to-back singles from freshman Ellie Zerr and sophomore Ella Hoyle which loaded the bases. Junior Kayla Lang drove in two runs to finish the inning with a double to left-center field to tie the game 2-2.
The next inning and a half went scoreless again before inclement weather suspended the game in the bottom of the fifth inning and was set to resume on Sunday.
Starting Sunday morning, the Bears knocked a double and a single in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 3-2 lead after five complete innings.
Nellis started the top of the sixth inning with a double to left field and advanced to third on a groundout. Hoyle followed with a fielder's choice allowing Nellis to score on a throwing error from the first baseman.
WashU answered again with a two-RBI double to right-center field to take a 5-3 lead and secure the win.
Game 2: WashU 4, Emory 3
The Eagles jumped to an early start in the top of the first inning of game two with Nellis starting the inning with a walk followed by a single from Zerr advancing Nellis to third. Hoyle followed with a single up the middle to score Nellis before Lang then drove a single to right field to help the Eagles to a 2-0 lead.
WashU answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the second inning after three back-to-back singles from the offense. Emory was able to get out of the jam and the Bears stranded two runners.
Zerr opened the top of the third with a one out walk and was able to advance to second on a fielder's choice from Hoyle. Freshman Grace Cooper followed with a single up the middle to score Zerr and give Emory a 3-1 lead in the third. WashU was able to record a hit in the bottom of the third, but their momentum was stopped before the runner could advance.
The Bears fought back in the bottom of the fourth inning taking advantage of a two-out rally and scoring three runs on back to back singles up the middle to give WashU a 4-3 lead. The next three innings were quiet on both sides seeing just one runner in the bottom of the sixth and the Bears were able to secure the 4-3 win.