NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Emory 11, Piedmont 10 (F/8)
Game 2 Score: Emory 7, Piedmont 1
Records: Piedmont, 0-2; Emory, 2-0
ATLANTA, Ga. - Piedmont softball fell to the Emory Eagles on Saturday in both games, one in extra innings.
Piedmont's offense made things interesting in game one against the Eagles but couldn't find their stride in game two.
Game 1: Emory 11, Piedmont 10 (F/8)
The bats would be out early for both squads, as Emory would get the scoring started in the opening frame, with the Lions keeping pace right behind them in the second.
The Eagles would get to
Jacy Vickery in the third with a pair of singles putting traffic on before an Emory double scored a pair. The offense didn't end there for the Eagles as they continued to cross the plate with three more runs scoring. With a six-run lead to chip into, the Lions would have to get to work at the bat rack. Piedmont would answer with three runs across the fourth and the fifth innings, bringing their deficit closer; however, Emory would score a pair in the sixth, widening its lead over Piedmont.
The Lions, with their backs against the wall in the seventh, down by five, would put together a rally.
Valerie Bailey brought home the first of the scoring spell with an infield single, putting two on for
Alyssa Jarrett. Jarrett sent the ball to the right fielder, collecting a single, but an Emory error by the left fielder opened the door for the Lions' opportunity as three came home to score on the play, making it a one-run game. Piedmont wouldn't be done there, as
Mandi Peretti would put a ball in the right center gap, collecting an RBI and putting herself in scoring position as the go-ahead run.
Anslee Sauchegraw stood in and put the ball in play, setting up another costly Emory error, allowing Peretti to come home and give the Lions their first lead of the game.
Emory would scratch a run across in the bottom of the seventh as the Lions would pick up an error of their own, setting up extra innings. Piedmont would go quietly in the top of the eighth as they were unable to bring home the extra base runner placed on second.
The Eagles would load the bases in the bottom half of the inning as they threatened to seal away game one. Ella Hoyle for the Eagles would ground a ball to Sauchegraw at shortstop that the freshman couldn't field allowing the Eagles to walk off game one.
Game 2: Emory 7, Piedmont 1 (F/7)
The Eagles would be early scorers in game two as well, putting up three runs in the bottom of the second to give them the lead.
Taylor Spivey would allow just four in 4.1 innings of work; however, despite the offensive explosion in game one, the Lions' bats would fall silent in game two.
Emory would add on to their lead with two in the fourth while scoring one run in each of the fifth and sixth innings.
Piedmont will look to bounce back in their home opener against Pfeiffer on Friday, Feb. 27th, at 2:00 p.m.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
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Valerie Bailey collected four hits across the two games while earning a walk and an RBI.
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