On a memorable Saturday afternoon, the Emory softball team closed out the home portion of its regular-season schedule with a sweep over Brandeis University. The Eagles captured the opener by a 3-0 score before closing out the series with a five-inning, 8-0 triumph over the Judges. The two wins boosted Emory's overall record to 23-13, 6-6 in the University Athletic Association, while Brandeis fell to 8-7 overall, 3-2 in the conference. Saturday marked Senior Day with the Eagles recognizing the contributions of four-year veterans Brittany File, Taylor Forte and Amy Wray.
The story of the day was Brittany File who crafted a pair a masterful complete-game shutouts in the circle, and in the process became the program's all-time leader in wins. File's two victories upped her career total to 74, topping the previous standard of 73 held by Nicole Kovski (2001-04). Over the combined 12 innings of work, File allowed just four singles and fanned 17 batters, allowing her to improve her season record to 11-4.
In the first contest, File stymied the Judges by allowing just a one-out hit in the top of the first inning. She struck out the side in the second and fanned a pair of Judges in the fifth and seventh frames. Freshman third baseman Jessie Michael picked up two of Emory's six hits, her 11th multi-hit contest of the season, to pace the offensive attack. The Eagles did all of their damage in their half of the third, thanks to three straight two-out hits. Michael got things started with her single plating sophomore Cassie Baca from second. Michael then scampered home following a double by Janelle Turnquest, her fifth two-bagger of the campaign. A single by rookie Kinsey Glasgow then scored Turnquest.
In the finale, Emory rapped out 11 hits, its 16th multi-hit contest of the year, scoring in four of the five innings. Taylor Forte was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs, while Glasgow collected a pair of safeties to go along with two ribbies. Emory would get all of the offense it needed with a three-run first inning. With one out and the bases loaded, a sacrifice fly by Turnquest scored Forte. Glasgow followed with a double that scored Michael and Baca. After tacking up a run in the second, the Eagles broke the game wide open with a three-run outburst in the third. A Jessy McLean sac fly accounted for the opening tally before a Forte triple scored sophomore Sam Vincent. Baca would later double, scoring Forte. The Eagles closed the game out in the fifth when a two-out single by Forte plated Sarah Flanders. File made the most of the offensive support, surrendering just three hits and striking out eight.
Emory returns to action the weekend of April 21-22 when it plays a four-game series at New York University.
Emory Softball Senior Day!