TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Emory & Henry University Softball Team (18-12, 3-3 SAC) came away with a split against the Trailblazers. It was the tale of 2 games as defense dominated Game 1 while the offense shined in Game 2. 

The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 2, North Greenville 3
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 7, North Greenville 5
LOCATION – Tigerville, South Carolina
VENUE – Ponder Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (18-12,  3-3 SAC); North Greenville (21-11, 2-2 11-1 CC) 

Game One – Emory & Henry 2, North Greenville 3

Defense was the name of the game in Game 1 of the doubleheader, while the programs combined for 12 hits only 5 total runs were sent across home plate. North Greenville jumped to the early lead in the bottom of the 1st thanks to a wild pitch and an RBI single from Ansley Fowler. That score stood until the Wasps got on the board in the top of the 3rd. Greenly Elliott (Danville, Va.) legged out her fist triple of the season, with a run just 60 feet away Karsen Simpson (Salisbury, N.C.) singled to left field to bring Elliott home to cut the lead in half. 

Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) and Haylee Whitesides kept the batters in check for both squads through the middle innings. The Trailblazers managed to push across one more run in the bottom of the 6th to go up 3-1. It all came down to the final frame, and the Wasps would not go quietly. Sawyer Tolley (Bedford, Va.) belted a solo shot over the outfield fence to lead off the inning. That would be as close as the Wasps would get, the North Greenville stiffened and forced the final 3 outs to take Game 1. 

Game Two – Emory & Henry 5, North Greenville 7
If Game 1 was all about the defense, it was the offense's time to shine in Game 2. Both teams came out of the gate swinging the bats. The Wasps struck first blood after a Laila Rodriguez (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Hannah Booth (Longwood, Fla.) single, Tolley brought in Rodriguez for the first run of the game. The Trailblazers responded in their half with a 2 run home run to take the lead. 

Emory & Henry's offense exploded in the top of the 3rd sending 6 runs across home plate. 3 of the first 4 E&H batters reached base safely, which set the stage for Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.). Street reached on a fielder's choice, but NGU committed an error that allowed Rodriguez to score the tying run. 2 more runs would cross from a Greenly Elliott 2 RBI double to left field. Not to be outdone, Kylie Cundiff (Roanoke, Va.) took some inspiration from Elliott and hit a triple of her own, scoring 2 more runs and pushing the advantage to 4. The Wasps weren't done, Rachel Hill (Stanardsville, Va.) doubled down the left field line to bring in Cundiff. 

Bailey Payne (Fairview, N.C.) got the start in the circle and was tasked with keeping North Greenville in check. Payne did just that going for 4.0 innings, allowing only 4 runs and striking out 3. The Trailblazers pulled close in the bottom of the 5th with a 2 rune home run that brought them within 3. Much like Game 1, it all came down to the final frame. NGU put runners in scoring position but could only manage 1 run before the final fly out to right field. Payne was credited with the win, her 3rd of the year, and Reeves with the Save, her first of the year. 

Up Next
E&H returns home to Wasps Field this Tuesday with a doubleheader against Southwest Virginia Rival the University of Virginia's College at Wise. First pitch is set for 1PM and 3PM. 

---E&H---