Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Softball team hosted USC-Aiken in non-conference play today. After the Pacers took a 4-1 lead, the Lions would score the final 7 runs to take game one, 8-4. A home-run by Alyssa Adams in the 7^th inning would put the Lions on top 7-6 in game two. With the wins, the Lions improve to 20-19 on the season. 
 
 
GAME ONE
 
The Lions got on the board first in game one. Alyssa Adams started things off with a single to centerfield. Jaryn Gibson doubled to right to advance Adams to 3^rd base. Isabel Harrison followed that up with a single to shortstop to score Adams, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
 
The Pacers responded in the top of the 4^th with four runs on two hits and an error to take a 4-1 lead. 
 
The Lions got a run back in the bottom of the 5^th. Adams singled to shortstop, advancing to 2^nd on a single by Harrison. Hannah Wright walked to load the bases for Kyna Cheney. Cheney reached on a hit-by-pitch to score Adams to cut the Pacers lead to 4-2. 
 
In the bottom of the 6^th, the Lions bats got going. Ellee Varner started things off with a triple to center. Adams followed that up with a single to center to score Varner, making it 4-3, Pacers. Gibson singled to right to advance Shelby Aiken (pinch runner for Adams) to second. Abby Rocco was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Harrison took advantage by hitting a single to left to score Aiken and tie things up at 4-4. Wright followed that up with a sacrifice fly to right field to score Lindsey Crawford (pinch runner for Gibson) to give the Lions a 5-4 lead. Cheney kept things going for the Lions with a single to center to score Harrison and Rocco, to make it 7-4. Next, Aggie Bennett singled to the pitcher to advance Cheny to third. Varner singled to left field to score Cheney and make the score 8-4, Lions. 
 
There was nothing going for either team in the 7^th inning and the Lions took game one, 8-4.
 
At the plate, Ellee Varner went 5-5, with an RBI. 
 
On the mound, Haley Mullins got the start, pitching 3.2 innings. She gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits, walking three batters and striking out one. Isabel Harrison relieved her and earned the win, pitching 3.1 innings. She gave up one hit and struck out five batters. 
 
GAME TWO – 
 
USC Aiken got off to a hot start in game two, scoring the first three runs of the game. The Pacers brought in two runs on two hits in the top of the 2^nd and followed that up with a run on two hits in the top of the 3^rd to take a 3-0 lead. The Lions quickly responded. Abigail Curry started off the bottom of the 3^rd with a walk. Ellee Varner followed that up with a single to left and Lexi Jordan singled to the pitcher to load the bases. Jaryn Gibson took advantage, hitting a 3-run home-run to left to clear the bases and tie the game at 3-3. 
 
The Pacers took the lead in the top of the 6^th scoring a run on two hits to make it 4-3. The Lions answered back in the bottom of the inning. Gabby Buffington started things off with a home-run to left to tie things up at 4-4. Aggie Bennett followed that up with a home-run of her own to give the Lions a 5-4 lead. 
 
In the top of the 7^th, the Pacers took the lead back scoring two runs on a hit, going up 6-5. Again, the Lions had an answer. Jordan walked to start the inning and Alyssa Adams went yard to center field to score Jordan and give the Lions a 7-6 win! 
 
At the plate, Ellee Varner was 3-4 with a run scored and Jaryn Gibson was 2-3 with three RBI's and a run scored.
 
On the mound, Kaitlyn Pickens got the start throwing 5.2 innings. She gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and walked two batters. Macy Kelley relieved her and got the win, pitching 1.1 innings and giving up 2 runs on 1 hit. She struck out one batter and walked another. 
 
Next up, the Lions will host Erskine in a doubleheader series on Saturday. First pitch is at 1PM with game two following at 3PM. 
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com!