The Emory University softball program fell in the NCAA Super Regionals opener on Thursday afternoon, 12-4, to the University of Redlands Bulldogs in Redlands, California.
The Eagles now hold a 33-13 record on the season and will rematch with the Bulldogs tomorrow, May 23 at 12:00 PM PT/3:00 PM EST.
Emory struck early in the top of the first inning with freshman
Rylie Ballog reaching on an error from the Bulldogs followed by a single from junior
Ella Hoyle which advanced Ballog to third. The first run of the game came on a fielder's choice from sophomore
Ellie Zerr scoring Ballog. Fellow sophomore
Lillian Ware followed with a double but Redlands was able to get out of the inning.
The Bulldogs answered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to hold a one run lead following two singles and a double from Redlands. Emory was able to tie the game back up in the top of the second with another error from the Bulldogs put sophomore
Grace Cooper on first. Back-to-back singles from teammates
Addison Kwong and
Ashley Chu loaded the bases for sophomore
Ella Janish to pinch hit. Janish grounded out to third base but was able to score Cooper from third to tie the game.
The bottom of the second was scoreless for Redlands but Emory was able to strike again in the top of the third with Zerr leading things off with a double. Freshman
Megan Sutton followed with an infield single to advance Zerr to third. Freshman
Shivani Nangia drove a two-out single to give the Eagles a 3-2 lead.
Redlands added four runs in the bottom of the third inning taking advantage of five hits and a walk before adding two more runs in the fourth to hold an 8-3 lead over Emory. The Eagles were able to tack on another run in the top of the fifth inning recording three hits and an error but left the bases loaded at the end of the inning.
The Bulldogs clinched the first win of the Super Regionals with four more runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 12-4 victory.
Emory and Redlands will face off again on Friday at 12:00 PM PT/3:00 PM EST with an if necessary game scheduled for 3:30 PM PT/6:30 PM EST.
