From Emory University Athletics

The No. 9-ranked Emory softball team opened play at the NCAA D-III Championships on a successful note on Thursday, registering a win over the University of Saint Thomas (MN). The Eagles raised their record to 46-6 following a 3-2 decision over the Tommies who slipped to 43-7.

Emory Postgame Press Conference

Junior pitcher Brittany File earned the win for Emory, going all seven frames and allowing five hits while striking out nine in upping her season record to 36-4. The Eagles got on the board in the bottom of the second when freshman Cassie Baca led off with a single and then moved to second following the first of two hits on the day by classmate Sam Vincent.  After a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Ashley Powers moved the runners up a base, a ground out by junior Amy Wary pushed Baca across the plate. A double by sophomore Janelle Turnquest opened the fourth inning, and following a pair of outs, Powers socked a homer to left center, her seventh blast of the campaign, to stake Emory to a 3-0 cushion.

The Tommies got on the board in their half of the sixth courtesy of a two-out double by Dana Connelly. St Thomas stayed alive in its final at-bat, putting its first two runners on via base-on-balls. A sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in the Tommies loading the bases when a throw to third base was late. Chris Shortly then dropped a bloop single down the right field line that plated Jessica Eppenberger, however heads-up defense by Emory on the play stymied a St. Thomas attempt to tie the score, gunning down a runner at the plate. File then worked her way out of the resulting jam that had St. Thomas runners on second and third with one out, striking out Megan Bush and then inducing Meg DuPuis to pop out.