The Emory softball team enjoyed a successful start to postseason play on Friday, registering an opening-round win over Emory and Henry at the Demorest NCAA Regional on the campus of Piedmont College. The Eagles won for the fifth straight time and raised their overall record to 31-10 following a 7-3 decision over the Wasps who fell to 26-17.
Senior Cassie Baca collected two of the Eagles' eight hits while classmate Jenna Wilson scored three runs to pace the Emory attack. Sophomore pitcher Madison Schaefer collected her 14th win of the season against four setbacks, tossing five innings and allowing three runs while fanning a pair. Senior Toko Miller closed out the game, tossing two scoreless innings.
The Eagles scored in their half of the first when a fielders choice by junior Greta Wilker scored Jenna Wilson from third. Wilson had opened the frame with a walk before moving to second as a result of a fielding error by E&H, and then to third following a fielders choice off the bat of Sami Feller. Emory added to its lead when it tacked up a run in third without the aid of a hit. Wilson led off with a walk and then proceeded to steal second. After a walk to Sarah Katz and Sami Feller getting hit by a pitch loaded the bases, Wilson scampered home as a result of a wild pitch.
After the Wasps crossed the plate with a run in the fourth, the Eagles responded with a four-run outburst, making the most of five hits. Junior pinch hitter Jessy McLean singled in sophomore Natalie Arreguin while Wilson's perfectly executed bunt single pushed senior Sam Vincent across the plate. With McLean perched on third and and Wilson on second, Cassie Baca smashed a triple which gave the Eagles a 6-1 margin. Emory and Henry narrowed the gap in the top of the fifth courtesy of a two-run single by Leanna Toler, but that was all the scoring it could muster the rest of the game. Emory scored its final run in the sixth, generating a two-out rally that saw Wilker drop a single into right field that scored Baca.
Emory's next opponent will be host Piedmont on Saturday in a scheduled 2:00 pm start. The Lions bettered Transylvania in their opening game.