BREVARD, N.C. – The combination of Emmanuel's Erin Harden and Taylor Saxon on the mound held the Brevard softball team to eight hits and one run over two games as the visiting Lions earned a doubleheader sweep (6-0, 8-1) at Ives-Lemel Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Emmanuel lineup provided run support early for Harden in game one, taking advantage of an infield error that allowed Noelle Petty to reach base in the first inning. Petty moved to second on a passed ball before a double to left field by Mary Baxter brought home the game's first run.
The Lions (15-21) tacked on their second run in the second when Isabelle Petty reached first on an infield error. A triple into right field, off the bat of Alannah Long, stretched the lead to 2-0 through two innings.
A three-up, three-down inning for the Tornados was answered with a three-run third by Emmanuel in the top of the third. Baxter reached base after being hit by a pitch and Morgan Frank moved her to second with a single through the left side of the infield. Cassie Mayfield sent a bases clearing triple to centerfield, making for a 4-0 Lion advantage, before Isabelle Petty knocked a single to right field for the five-run lead.
Emmanuel put the final run across the plate in the fifth when double to left centerfield plated Alexis Costlow from first, who was pinch running for Becky Collins.
While Brevard (8-15) was held scoreless, Teegan Bullock finished 2-for-3 from the plate. Joining her with one hit each were Sara Lallier (1-3) and Jordan Hawk (1-1).
Harden (8-8) picked up the win for Emmanuel after tossing a complete game four-hitter. She tallied 14 strikeouts and allowed only one walk in 111 pitches.
GAME 2: Emmanuel 8, Brevard 1
The Tornados scored their lone run of the game in the first inning of the second game. Sara Lallier dropped a double into left field to open the first inning, moving to third on a sacrifice bunt by Teegan Bullock. Emily White followed with a triple into right field, scoring Lallier for the first run of the game.
Emmanuel answered with a three-run third, capitalizing on a Meredith Reece single up the middle to open the inning. Mary Baxter drove a triple into left field, tying the contest at 1-1 as Reece trotted home.
Becky Collins came through with a double to left center, bringing home Baxter for the second run of the frame. Two batters later, Cassie Mayfield delivered a single to right field, scoring pinch runner Kristin Durden for the 3-1 Emmanuel advantage.
The Lions enjoyed their second three run inning in the fifth, using a Baxter walk and stolen base to its advantage when Morgan Frank had a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Mayfield had her second double of the game, placing a hit into left centerfield, which scored Collins from second in the process. Isabelle Petty kept the inning alive with a single to centerfield, plating Mayfield from second, as the lead reached 6-1.
Emmanuel added one run each in the sixth and seventh innings. The run in the sixth came when Brianna Morgan came through with a bases loaded single to centerfield, scoring Noelle Petty from third.
Teammate Riley Clingerman knocked a single into left field to score Mayfield from second for the final run of the game. Taylor Saxon picked up the victory after throwing a complete game four hitter. Saxon surrendered one earned run and two walks while striking out seven Tornado batters.
White was the top Brevard hitter in the game, going 2-for-3 from the plate with an RBI, while Lallier (1-3) and Bullock (1-3) also recorded a hit.
The Tornados return to the diamond on Tuesday afternoon when they travel to Agnes Scott for a doubleheader with the Scotties. The first game begins at 4 p.m. and the second will follow shortly thereafter.
For more information on Brevard softball check out www.bctornados.com.