The Emory University softball team swept the NYU Violets on Saturday afternoon with two wins, the first UAA sweep since 2019. Following the wins, the Eagles celebrated their five seniors.
The Eagles improve to 23-13 on the season and move to 9-7 in conference play with the series win. Sophomore Mackenzie Duford and freshman Lexi Bach split time in the circle with each throwing a complete game and allowing just six hits through both games.
Game 1: Emory 8, NYU 0
Duford got an early start in the top of the first giving up her first hit of the day before retiring three batters to send the game to the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Ashley Chu kicked things off for the Eagles with a leadoff single but was stranded on the base paths.
The Violets were once again retired in the top of the second followed by a big double from freshman Ellie Zerr to start the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Ella Hoyle followed with a single of her won before Zerr scored on a wild pitch moving Hoyle to third base. Freshman Sonia Klein continued the scoring train with an infield single to score Hoyle and give the Eagles a 2-0 lead.
The top of the third inning saw another double from the Violets, but Duford was again able to get out of the jam unscathed. The Eagles struck again in the bottom of the fourth inning after another leadoff single from Zerr started the inning. Hoyle drove a single up the middle to plate Zerr helping the Eagles to a 3-0 lead.
Emory went on a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 7-0 lead over NYU. Three back-to-back walks plated two more runs for the Eagles before a two-run single to center field from sophomore Isabel Cohen gave Emory its seventh run of the game.
After back-to-back walks, Hoyle was able to deliver the walkoff knock in the bottom of the sixth inning driving a single up the middle to plate freshman Grace Cooper and securing the 8-0 win in game three of the series.
Game 2: Emory 2, NYU 1
Bach got the start in the circle for the Eagles and had one of her most impressive outings this season throwing seven innings of solid work. The Violets were able to notch a double to start the first inning and advanced the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt. The runner later scored on a sacrifice fly and helped the Violets to a 1-0 lead.
Cooper opened the bottom of the first with a one-out triple to left-center field before senior Page Nellis got her first hit of the day with a single to center field to score Cooper.
The next five innings were scoreless on both sides while Bach totaled six strikeouts in the next few innings to tie her career high. Nellis started the bottom of the sixth with a double through the right side and was able to advance on a fly out. Hoyle followed with an RBI single to center field to score Nellis giving the Eagles a slight 2-1 lead.
Bach finished the seventh inning strong allowing just one runner before a double play ended the game securing the sweep for the Eagles.
Emory will travel to St. Louis, Missouri next weekend for the final UAA matchup of the season against the WashU Bears. Game one on Friday will begin at 3:00 PM EST.