From Emory University Athletics
The No. 2-ranked Emory softball team closed out a six-game road swing in impressive fashion on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader against Roanoke College. The Eagles posted a 7-1 decision over the Maroons in the opener before pounding their way to a six-inning, 12-2 verdict in the finale. Emory has won its last 22 games and stands 31-1 on the year. The two setbacks left Roanoke's record at 10-12.
Emory peppered four Roanoke hurlers for 13 hits in the second game, its 16th double-figure effort of the season, and was led by freshman shortstop Cassie Baca who went 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs. Senior center fielder Alyssa Pollard and sophomore first baseman Ashley Powers both hit safely twice with Powers totaling four RBIs. Freshman Lana Herrmann also recorded four RBIs as a result of a grand slam, her team-leading eighth round tripper of the year, in the bottom of the first that highlighted a five-run frame. The Eagles added a pair of runs in their half of the fourth after two were out, with a two-bagger by Baca scoring Pollard and junior Taylor Forte.
Emory churned out five more runs in the sixth, culminated by a three-run homer by Powers, her fifth of the year. Emory has hit 37 homers this year, the third-highest seasonal effort in program history, behind only the 47 hit by the 2014 team and the 40 socked by the 2015 squad. Sophomore pitcher Audrey Weller recorded her seventh win in as many outings, tossing the first five innings and giving up both runs and three hits while striking out three.
In the opener, junior pitcher Brittany File went the distance in raising her season record to 23-1. File surrendered just five hits and fanned 10, the sixth time this year she has whiffed 10 or more foes in a game. Emory got all the runs it would need in the first when Baca blasted a two-run homer, her fourth of the year. After scoring once in the third, the Eagles crossed the plate twice more in the fourth, with the first run coming as a result of a double by designated hitter Molly Murphy. The Eagles closed out their run production with a pair in the seventh with Pollard scoring on a passed ball and Powers hitting a sacrifice fly that plated Sam Vincent. Senior catcher Melody Carter and Powers each recorded two hits.