The Emory University softball team is heading back to the super regionals for the first time since 2019 and the third time in 10 years following two wins against the Number 1 seeded Huntingdon Hawks.
 
The Eagles hold a 33-12 record following the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament after going 4-1 in Montgomery, Alabama at the Huntingdon Regional. Along with the trip to the super regionals, Ashley Chu, Megan Sutton and Shivani Nangia were named to the Huntingdon Regional All-Tournament team while junior Mackenzie Duford was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player.
 
Game 1: Emory 5, Huntingdon 4
 
The Eagles jumped out to an early start in game one with Chu leading off with an infield single and a stolen base before advancing to third following the second out of the inning. Sophomore Ellie Zerr followed with an RBI single up the middle to score Chu and give Emory a 1-0 lead.
 
Huntingdon answered with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning scoring three runs on two hits while also taking advantage of a few walks from Duford. Sophomore Lexi Bach entered the game in relief later in the inning to get the final out of the inning with the Hawks taking a 3-1 lead. Huntingdon tacked on their fourth run of the game in the bottom of .the second with four singles.
 
A pitcher's duel took place for the next few innings until Emory struck next in the top of the fifth. Nangia and fellow freshman Addison Kwong opened with a single and a walk followed by a single up the middle from Chu to load the bases. With two outs, Nangia was able to score on a wild pitch cutting the Hawks' lead to 4-2.
 
In their final at bat of the game in the top of the seventh, the Eagles went on a final rally to take back the lead from Huntingdon and force another game. Kwong opened with a double through the left side followed by a single up the middle from Chu. Emory then tied the game at four apiece on a two-RBI single from junior Ella Hoyle who then advanced to third on the play. Zerr followed with a single up the middle to score Hoyle and give Emory a 5-4 lead in the seventh.
 
The Hawks were able to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh on a single and two walks but Bach was able to dominate her way through the final three outs and handed Huntingdon their first loss of the tournament.
 
Game 2: Emory 4, Huntingdon 3
 
The Eagles carried their momentum from game one right into the second game with sophomore Georgia Pineda opening things in the circle for Emory. In the bottom of the first, Chu reached on an error from the Hawks and advanced to third on the next play. Hoyle earned another RBI on the day with an RBI groundout giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
 
Huntingdon was able to draw a walk in the top of the second but Emory's defense rallied with a double play to end the inning. The Hawks were able to tie the game in the top of the third inning taking advantage of a walk and two singles but Pineda continued to dominate through and got out of the inning without allowing another run to score.
 
The pitcher's duel continued through the top of the fourth inning but the Eagles were able to break the scoreless streak in the bottom of the inning. Sutton opened the inning reaching on an error before sophomore Grace Cooper and Nangia followed with back to back singles to load the bases. In one on the most crucial at bats of the tournament, Kwong drove a bases-clearing, three-RBI triple to the right field wall claiming the 4-1 lead back for the Eagles.
 
Pineda continued throwing coals into the fire in the circle but the Hawks opened the top of the sixth inning with a double through the left side to end her day in the circle. The Eagles saw Duford return despite struggling through the first game against the Hawks and she was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run to score.
 
Following a 1-2-3 inning from Emory in the bottom of the sixth, Duford looked to get three quick outs and send Emory to the next round but the Hawks weren't giving up without a fight. A hit by pitch and a walk opened the inning for Huntingdon before a fielder's choice and a triple from the Hawks brought in two more runs cutting Emory's lead to one run. Duford was then able to force a groundout and the Eagles clinched their second consecutive win over the Hawks.
 
Emory will await the result of the WashU vs. Redlands game(s) tomorrow, May 18 to determine where they will go for the super regional round.