The Emory University softball team split its Thursday doubleheader with the Saint Benedict Bennies in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Eagles now sit 6-4 on the season while the Bennies earn their second win of the season to post a 2-6 record. Sophomore Mackenzie Duford continues to be a powerhouse for the Eagles in the circle as she posted eight strikeouts and allowed just one hit in the first game of the doubleheader. On the offensive side, freshman Ellie Zerr notched six RBI on the day and continues to lead the team with 14 RBI on the season.
Game 1: Emory 10, Saint Benedict 0
Duford started in the circle for the Eagles in game one getting three quick outs in the top of the first. The bats came alive early for Emory in the bottom half of the first with sophomore Ashley Chu and senior Page Nellis taking back to back walks to start the inning. After a wild pitch moved the runners to scoring position, Zerr brought in both runners with a single to right field.
Sophomore Ella Hoyle followed with a single of her own putting two runners on for the Eagles before Emory was able to capitalize on an error from the Bennies' defense bringing the score to 3-0. Freshman Lillian Ware continued to shine in her rookie season notching Emory's first triple of the season to score two more runs.
After a pitching change from Saint Benedict, freshman Grace Cooper brought in the sixth run of the inning for the Eagles to finish the scoring run.
Duford continued showing her skills in the top of the second retiring all three batters she faced. Chu led off the inning with an infield single followed by a beautiful bunt from Nellis which scored Chu. The second single of the day from Hoyle brought in another run from the Eagles in the top of the second giving Emory an 8-0 lead after two.
Emory brought in another two runs in the bottom of the third with Chu once again starting the rally with a single through the right side. After Chu stole second, Nellis knocked a double to center field to score Chu. Zerr followed with a single up the middle bringing in her third run of the day to give Emory a 10-0 lead.
The Bennies were able to get their first runner in the top of the fourth with their first hit of the day before sophomore Isabel Cohen came in to pitch for Duford. Cohen allowed just one hit of her own in the top of the fifth inning but was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run to secure the win.
Game 2: Saint Benedict 5, Emory 4
The Bennies decided that they wanted to have a first inning rally of their own and posted five runs in the top of the first inning. Saint Benedict opened the inning with a walk before back to back singles brought in the first run of the inning. Another single from Cat Smetana scored the second run of the inning before an error from Emory's defense allowed another run to score. The Bennies scored five runs on four hits in the inning and stranded two runners.
The Eagles were able to record just three hits through the first three innings as Saint Benedict found strength in their pitching. Emory was held scoreless through the next three innings and looked to the bottom of the seventh for a rally.
The freshman duo of Sonia Klein and Cooper started the seventh with back to back walks before junior Kayla Lang reached on a fielder's choice putting runners at first and second. Chu followed with a single up the middle to bring in Cooper, Chu's first RBI of the season before Nellis notched another single to load the bases. Zerr got her first hit of the second game with a double to center field scoring three more runners for the Eagles but the rally ended and the Eagles fell 5-4.
The Eagles will return to the field on Saturday, March 9 where they will face the LaGrange Panthers at 12:00 PM in LaGrange, Georgia.