From Emory University Athletics
The Emory softball team continued its flair for the dramatic on Sunday, and in the process put itself in position to play for the NCAA D-III Championship starting on Monday. The Eagles battled to an eight-inning 3-2 decision over Eastern Connecticut State, raising their record to 39-12 while ending the Warriors season at 36-13. Emory, 3-0 in the double-elimination tourney will battle Texas Lutheran, who also stands 3-0, in a best-of-three series the national crown.
Playing as the home team, Emory faced a 2-0 deficit heading into its final at. With Megan Wesienberg on first base with two out, senior Lana Herrmann delivered a clutch pinch-hit single up the middle on an 0-1 pitch that moved Weisenberg to second. After sophomore Drew Bullock was inserted as a pinch runner for Herrmann, freshman Krista Colusssi's second hit of the contest, a rope to left center, resulted in a double for her and which plated both Wesienberg and Bullock. Emory starter Toko Miller sat Eastern Connecticut State down in order in the top of the eighth, setting the stage for the deciding frame.
After a lead off single by Sarah Katz, back-to-back fielder's choices left junior Sami Feller on first with two out. Junior Greta Wilker then rocketed an 0-1 pitch off the wall in center field for a double that allowed Feller to race home with the winning run, the Eagles fifth straight triumph and ninth in 11 postseason games.
Miller upped her season record to 10-3, throwing her seventh complete game of the campaign in 20 starts, allowing just five hits and striking out one.
The first game between Emory and Texas Lutheran will start at 2:00 pm (EDT) on Monday. Whoever wins the opener will have a leg up on winning the national championship when game two is played at approximately 4:30 pm. If a third game is needed, that will be played on Tuesday (May 28) at noon.
Emory Post Game Press Conference