The Emory University softball team swept the Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers in a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Cooper Field in Atlanta.
The first game ended after six innings thanks to a fiery offense from the Eagles and strong pitching from freshman Mackenzie Duford. Junior Natalie Swift played an eye-catching day on both offense and defense. Freshman Ella Hoyle continued to add to her resume with a home run and six RBI.
Game 1: Emory 10, Rose-Hulman 2 (6 Innings)
The Eagles were on fire offensively in the first game recording 16 hits in their six innings of play. The Fightin' Engineers got one hit in the top of the first inning, but Duford was able to get out of the inning. After an uneventful first, Hoyle drove a huge home run to right field to give Emory a 2-0 lead.
Sophomore Kayla Lang added to the Eagles' lead in the bottom of the third with a single to center field bringing in freshman Ashley Chu. With bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, Swift drove in three more runs to give the Eagles a 6-0 lead.
The Fightin' Engineers scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning, but Emory answered in the bottom half with four runs to win the game in six innings. Junior Leslie Berg started the scoring rally with a single to score Hoyle. Swift followed with a double to score Duford. Chu and senior Tyler Miller followed with singles to secure the win.
Duford continues her impressive season throwing six strong innings while striking out four and not allowing a single walk. She now improves to 4-0 on the season. Hoyle was 3-for-3 at the plate in game one with three RBIs.
Game 2: Emory 11, Rose-Hulman 1 (5 Innings)
After her impressive game one, Swift received the starting job for game two. She carried a no hitter into the middle of the fourth inning before giving up a single to the Fightin' Engineers.
Singles from Lang and Hoyle gave the Eagles a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning followed by a fielder's choice from Chu in the third to bring the score to 5-0. Lang singled again in the bottom of the third for another run.
For the second time on the day, Miller doubled to clear the bases and gave the Eagles a 10-0 lead in the third inning. A wild pitch in the third and fourth inning would bring in two runs for Emory and give them an 11-0 lead.
Rose-Hulman added a run in the top of the fifth, but Swift found her way out of the jam to secure the win for the Eagles.
Swift improves to 2-1 on the season, tossing five innings with just three hits and a run. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate in game two. Hoyle went 2-for-2 at the plate in the second game with three more RBI.
The Eagles will travel to Lookout Mountain, Georgia on Saturday, March 4 at 1 pm for a doubleheader against Covenant College.