Posted: May 09, 2013
The No. 4-ranked Emory softball team opened NCAA Regional play in Salem, Virginia, Thursday evening with a victory over Neumann University. The Eagles advanced to the winner's bracket and raised their overall record to 40-3 following a 4-0 triumph over the Knights who slipped to 29-15.
Sophomore shortstop Moira Sullivan and junior second baseman Claire Bailey accounted for five of Emory's eight hits with Sullivan going 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and a pair of RBIs while Bailey collected two hits and scored twice. The Eagles received a strong performance in the circle from the trio of Amanda Kardys, Lena Brottman and freshman Sydney Carpenter in registering the team's 20th shutout of the season with the three allowing just five Neumann hits. Kardys tossed the first three frames and gave up just one safety and fanning two Knights. Brottman, who would receive credit for the win, hurled the next two innings and allowed just hits. Carpenter earned the save after turning in an overpowering last two innings that saw her strike out four batters.
Emory got on the board with one run in the bottom of the first when juniors Lauren Gorodetsky and Ally Kertshold opened the game with back-to-back singles. After a double steal moved the runners up one base, a ground out by sophomore Micah Schraff allowed Gorodetsky to cross the plate. The Eagles added two more runs the next inning thanks to three doubles with two-baggers by freshman Alyssa Pollard and Sullivan driving in runs. Emory picked up its final tally in the sixth when Bailey, who led off the frame with a single and then moved to second following a sacrifice bunt by Meaghan Schultz, scored after a single by Pollard and a subsequent error by the Knights' center fielder.
The Eagles move on to face Piedmont College (32-8) Friday afternoon in a 4:00 pm scheduled start. The Eagles and Lions have played three times this year with Emory winning two of those meetings.