EMORY, VA – The UVA Wise softball team split a pair of South Atlantic Conference games with local rival Emory & Henry Tuesday afternoon. A late home run allowed the Wasps to sneak out with a 4-3 win in game one while the Highland Cavaliers responded with a two-run homer in the sixth in game two to claim the 7-6 win.
The win improves the Cavs to 20-16-1 all time vs. the Wasps and was the fourth win out of the last six meetings.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game 1: Emory & Henry 4, UVA Wise 3
Result Game 2: UVA Wise 7, Emory & Henry 6
Records: UVA Wise (22-11, 4-4 SAC); Emory & Henry (19-13, 4-4 SAC)
Location: Emory, Virginia | E&H Softball Field
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 4, UVA Wise 3
- The game began with Emory & Henry taking an early lead in the first inning with a solo home run by Hannah Booth, setting the score at 1-0.
- In the fifth inning, UVA Wise made a significant push.
Taylor Noe walked, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and reached third on
Taylor Clay's single. Clay then stole second, setting the stage for
Mataya Ausmus, who delivered a double to right center, driving in Noe and Clay.
Kennedy Miller followed with a single up the middle, scoring Ausmus, bringing the Cavs ahead 3-1. The Wasps responded with a two-run homer by Karsen Simpson, tying the game at 3-3.
- The sixth inning saw Emory & Henry take the lead once more with a solo home run by Sawyer Tolley, making it 4-3. The Highland Cavaliers were unable to produce further runs in the final innings and the Wasps buzzed off with the win.
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Chloe Murphy pitched a complete game for the Cavaliers, going 6 innings while allowing 4 earned runs on 5 hits. She demonstrated control and efficiency, not issuing any walks and striking out 6 batters over 93 pitches. Despite giving up 3 home runs, Murphy maintained a WHIP of 0.83, facing 24 batters without yielding a free pass.
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Taylor Clay recorded two hits and scored a run while adding a stolen base.
Mataya Ausmus collected two RBIs with a double and scored once.
Taylor Noe reached base twice, tallying one hit, one run, and a walk.
GAME TWO – UVA Wise 7, Emory & Henry 6
- The Wasps scored two runs in the bottom of the first off a pair of RBI singles.
- In the second inning,
Lindsey Polan scored the first run for UVA Wise on an RBI single down the right field line by
Ashley Morgan, narrowing the score to 2–1 in favor of Emory & Henry. The Wasps answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning.
-During the third inning,
Kaylynn Baker doubled to right field and was brought home by
Kennedy Miller's double to left center. Miller then scored on a single by Polan, tying the game at 3–3.
-In the fourth inning, Emory & Henry regained the lead with three runs, making it 6–3.
- UVA Wise responded in the fifth inning. Polan scored on a hit by pitch, followed by
Mataya Ausmus scoring on a bases-loaded walk to
Taylor Clay. This cut the Wasps' lead to 6–5.
- The sixth inning saw the Highland Cavaliers take the lead when Miller hit a two-run homer to center field, scoring Baker and making it 7–6 as the Cavs held on for the win.
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Bayleigh Allison started the game for UVA Wise, pitching 3 innings and allowing 9 hits and 6 earned runs while striking out one batter. She faced 19 batters, throwing 54 pitches with 38 strikes, and ended with a WHIP of 3.00.
Olivia Shockley took over, pitching 4 innings with 5 strikeouts and no earned runs, allowing only 2 hits. Shockley faced 17 batters, delivering 46 strikes out of 78 pitches, and recorded a WHIP of 1.25.
- Miller excelled by recording three hits, driving in three runs, and hitting a home run. Baker added to the scoring with two runs and a double. Polan contributed with two hits and one RBI, while also drawing a walk. Morgan made her presence felt by driving in two runs and collecting a hit, bolstering the team's run production.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will return home to face Anderson in a SAC doubleheader Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
