The Emory University softball team dropped its UAA opening matchup against the Carnegie Mellon Tartans 3-1 on Friday afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Eagles fall to 14-7 on the season while the Tartans move above .500 with their seventh win of the season. Senior Page Nellis was able to lead the team offensively going 2-for-3 with a walk while the team saw four hit by pitches in the game to tie for second in program history in HBPs in a single game.
In the circle for the Eagles was sophomore Mackenzie Duford who had a great start to the game. In the top of the first, the Tartans were able to get their first two runners on base before Duford got three quick outs holding CMU scoreless. The Eagles were also able to get two runners on base in the bottom half of the inning before back-to-back fly outs ended the inning.
The Tartans got their first run of the game in the top of the second inning after a leadoff walk and a double down the left field line brought in a run. Emory's defense was able to get the runner out at third after the double followed by two outs ending the Tartan's momentum.
The third inning went by quick for both teams before the Tartans tacked on another run in the fourth inning on a double to left field. The Eagles were able to get runners in scoring position in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to bring in a run.
Emory saw its first run of the game with back-to-back singles from freshman Sonia Klein and sophomore Ella Hoyle and a walk from junior Kayla Lang loading the bases. Senior Natalie Swift was able to score Klein on a sacrifice fly to center field cutting CMU's lead in half.
Another run came in for CMU in the top of the seventh inning on a single to center field and the Eagles needed momentum heading into the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore Ashley Chu started the inning with a single to first base extending her hitting streak to 25 games before walks to Nellis and Klein loaded the bases. The Tartans were able to get out of the jam and take the first game of the series 3-1.
The teams will return to Cooper Field on Saturday, March 30 for a doubleheader with game one beginning at 12:00 PM and game two beginning approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.