BLUEFIELD, Va. -- Only four of Emory & Henry's 16 runs on the day were earned, as the visitors claimed 10-0 and 6-5 wins over the Bluefield College softball team Wednesday afternoon in non-conference action. Bluefield had four errors in the first game and had one more in the finale, allowing Emory & Henry to take the come-from-behind win.
Bluefield (0-20) was returning to action after a pair of Appalachian Athletic Conference losses at Union College, Tuesday. Emory & Henry (13-1) also took the diamond for the second-straight day, after splitting a twinbill with Old Dominion Athletic Conference opponent Roanoke College.
Game 1The visitors scored at least a run in all five innings as they took the 10-0 win.
Ali Bartley (2-for-3) and
Kasey Holcomb (3-for-3) combined to go 5-for-6 to produce at the top of BC's lineup, but
Eryn Haley and
Morgan Stephens were the only other Lady Rams to tally base-knocks.
Haley tossed four innings for BC to take the loss, while Roxanne Hilllman earned the win for Emory & Henry. Haley allowed seven runs, with just three of those being earned.
Laura Craven also pitched an inning, allowing three runs, one being earned.
Game 2Brienna Sparks set the tone early for BC from the circle, as the sophomore struck out a pair in the first frame. Bluefield loaded the bases in the bottom half and a
Kristen Murphy bloop single over second scored both Holcomb and
Michaela Carter.
Sparks retired the Wasps in order in the second and third innings, before they posted a run in the fourth. Caley Hodge reached on a fielder's choice, then advanced to third on a single. Another Sparks strikeout would have been the third out, but a passed ball allowed Bethany Anderson to reach and Hodge to come home.
Carter sent her first collegiate home run over the left field fence to get Bluefield a 3-1 lead. After a quality 6-4-3 double play from the Wasps, Bluefield put together a two-out rally, this time taking advantage of an Emory & Henry miscue.
Morgan Stephens started things with a single, while
Kelsey Bryant bunted and reached on a wild throw to first base.
After Bryan stole second to place runners on second and third,
Andrea Christian blooped a single to left center to score both runners and earn BC a 5-1 advantage.
However, the Wasps put together a five-run sixth inning to overtake the hosts, 6-5. A dropped fly ball helped continue the inning for E&H, and with two out pinch hitter Leah Elswick took a full-count pitch over the left field fence for a grand slam.
Bluefield had its chances in the sixth and seventh frames, but could not find a timely hit. The Lady Rams stranded a pair in the sixth and one more in the seventh, as Brandy Bryant came in to close the game in the circle for E&H.
Despite a career-best 13 strikeouts and a five-hit effort, Sparks took the loss as she tossed all seven frames. Katie Grimm claimed the win for E&H, while Bryant earned the save.
Bluefield returns to Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Saturday, at Tennessee Wesleyan. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 3 p.m.
