From Emory University Athletics

The Emory softball team continued its successful start to the 2016 season on Saturday by registering two wins on the opening day of the 3n2 Invite. The No. 18-ranked Eagles opened with a 6-1 decision over No. 3 DePauw University before coming away with a six-inning, 11-3 win over Averett University.

Seven different players hit safely in the contest vs. DePauw, including senior second baseman Hannah Sendel who launched a three-run homer, her second round tripper of the year, in the bottom of the sixth that provided the Eagles a 6-0 advantage. Emory had put two runs up on the board in its half of the third started with a triple by senior catcher Melody Carter that plated pinch runner Raygan Greer, and a sacrifice fly by senior Alyssa Pollard that scored Carter.  Junior pitcher Brittany File recorded the first of two wins in the circle on the day, tossing 5 2/3 innings of scoreless ball and striking out five. Freshman Toko Miller came on in relief and finished out the contest.

Emory rapped out 12 hits against Averett with freshman shortstop Cassie Baca leading the way with three safeties, three runs scored and two RBIs. Pollard, sophomore Ashley Powers and freshman Lana Herrmann all hit safely twice.  Pollard singled in Emory's first two runs of the contest in the bottom of the second, while a three-run homer by Herrmann the following frame boosted the Eagles to a 5-0 advantage. After the Cougars scored twice in the top of the sixth to narrow Emory's lead to 5-3, the Eagles answered with a six-run explosion in the bottom of the frame.  Sophomore Janelle Turnquest got the uprising started with a two-run homer, her first of the season, while a two-bagger by Bacca pushed two Eagles across the plate. An eventual bases-loaded walk to Turnquest scored Bacca with the run that closed out the game. File started in the circle and went five innings, allowing one run and fanning five.