The No. 2-ranked Emory softball team clinched at least a share of the University Athletic Association title Friday afternoon following its victory over No. 24 Washington University.  The Eagles boosted their overall record to 30-1 (6-0 UAA) with a 4-3 decision over the Bears who slipped to 17-4 overall, 5-2 in the league. 

Though it was outhit by a 9-4 margin, Emory capitalized on its best scoring opportunity, collecting three hits and scoring all four its runs in the top of the fourth inning.  The Eagles went into that frame trailing by a 1-0 margin but tied things up on a sacrifice fly by freshman Alyssa Pollard that scored pinch runner Courtney Sugihara.  A wild pitch scored Hannah Sendel, putting the Eagles ahead, 2-1, before junior Lauren Gorodetsky delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single that would close out the Eagles' scoring for the day.  Gorodetsky has enjoyed solid UAA Championships, hitting .588 with 10 hits in 17 plate appearances.  The Bears scored a run in their half of the fifth to draw to within 4-2 and threatened in the seventh, scoring once and having the tying run on third with two out.  However, junior Amanda Kardys got out of the jam and raised her won-lost record to 18-1, tossing all seven innings and giving up nine hits while striking out four.

The Eagles can win the title outright with a win in one of their two games on Saturday (Rochester at 10:00 am, Case Western at 12:30 pm) or a Wash U loss.