The Emory University softball program is heading to the regional final game after going 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Montgomery, Alabama against Huntingdon and Berry.
The Eagles faced the Huntingdon Hawks earlier in the morning and fought a tough battle but fell 5-3 to later play in the regional elimination game. Emory and Berry went toe-to-toe and the Eagles were able to pull away with the win to advance to the regional final game on Saturday.
Game 1: Huntingdon 5, Emory 3
The battle of the birds saw a pitching duel with junior
Mackenzie Duford leading the charge for the Eagles through the first few innings. The Hawks saw an opportunity in the top of the second loading the bases but Emory's defense helped the team out of the inning scoreless.
Huntingdon was able to strike first in the top of the fourth inning scoring two runs while taking advantage of an error and walks for a 2-0 lead but Duford was able to get out of a bases loaded jam without allowing another run.
The sixth inning was all Emory with junior
Ella Hoyle starting the inning with a single up the middle. Teammate
Lillian Ware followed with a single of her own followed by an RBI single from freshman
Megan Sutton for Emory's first run of the day. With two outs in the inning, freshman
Shivani Nangia drove a bases clearing triple to give the Eagles a 3-2 lead following the sixth inning.
Huntingdon looked for a comeback in the top of the seventh taking advantage of back-to-back walks and a single to tie the game at three runs apiece. The Hawks then took the lead with a two-run double to hold a 5-3 lead. The Eagles were unable to respond in the bottom of the seventh falling in game one.
Game 2: Emory 2, Berry 1
The Eagles saw another pitching duel with sophomore
Lexi Bach getting the start in the circle in the second game. Berry was able to get two base runners on in the top of the second but Bach was able to get out of the inning unharmed.
Similar to game one, the Vikings were able to strike first in the top of the fourth inning opening with a single to left field followed by an RBI double to give Berry a 1-0 advantage. Following a pitching change from the Eagles, the Vikings were able to load the bases but Emory's defense ended the inning.
Nangia opened the bottom of the fifth inning with a walk and a stolen base followed by an infield single from freshman
Addison Kwong. Junior
Ashley Chu was able to reach base and load the bases following an error from the Vikings bringing in pinch hitter
Ella Janish. Janish drew a hit by pitch to bring in the tying run followed by an RBI groundout from Hoyle to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead after five complete innings.
In the circle, Duford got six quick outs to clinch the victory in the elimination game and advance to Saturday. The Eagles and Hawks will face off again in the regional final on Saturday, May 17 at 11:00 AM CST with an if necessary game at 1:30 PM CST.
