Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Softball team hosted the Erskine Flying Fleet in conference action this afternoon. The Lions got off to a good start, earning a 5-2 win in game one. Emmanuel followed that up with a 10-5 victory in game two to earn the series sweep. With the win, the Lions improve to 10-13 on the season and 5-2 in conference play. 

GAME ONE 

The Lions got on the board first in game one. After two scoreless innings, the Lions got to work in the bottom of the 3^rd. Abby Rocco started things off with a walk, then Jaryn Gibson hit a stand-up triple to send Rocco home, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. Ciarra Passmore walked to put runners on the corners and Kelsey Lester walked to load the bases. Aggie Bennett reached on an error by the 2^nd baseman to score two runs, giving the Lions a 3-0 advantage. 

The Flying Fleet got a run back in the top of the 4^th inning, scoring a run on 2 hits to make it 3-1. The Lions responded in the bottom half of the inning. Rocco reached on an error to start the at bat and Gabby Buffington walked to put runners on 1^st and 2^nd. Garrett walked to load the bases; Passmore reached on a fielder's choice with Rocco getting thrown out at home. Kelsey Lester walked to score Buffington, making it 4-1 Lions. 

In the bottom of the 5^th the Lions added a run to their lead. Varner singled to the pitcher to start things off and Gibson singled to left field to score her giving the Lions a 5-1 lead. 

A solo homerun for Erskine in the top of the 6^th made the final score 5-2, Lions. 

At the plate, Jaryn Gibson was 2-3 with 2 RBI's and a run scored.

In the circle, Cassidy Jenkins got the start. She went 7.0 innings and gave up 2 runs on 6 hits to earn her 5^thwin of the season. 
 
GAME TWO 
In game two, the Flying Fleet jumped out to an early lead, scoring a run on 2 hits and an error in the top of the first. The Lions responded well in the bottom half of the inning.  Ellee Varner singled to center field start off the inning strong. Abby Rocco followed that up with a single right field and Jaryn Gibson laced a single to center to score Varner, tying the game at 1-1. Gabby Buffington reached on a fielder's choice to advance Rocco to 3^rd, with Gibson getting out at 2^nd. Reagan Garrett cleared the bases with a 3-run homerun to give the Lions a 4-1 lead. 

The Flying Fleet cut into the Lions lead in the top of the 2^nd , scoring a run on a hit to make it 4-2. 

In the top of the 3^rd, Erskine got to work scoring 3 runs on 3 hits and an error to take a 5-4 lead. The Lions answered back in the bottom half of the inning. Rocco singled to start off the Lions at-bat and Gibson doubled to left field to bring her home, tying the game at 5.

After a scoreless 4^th, the Lions got back to work in the 5^th inning. Gibson singled to center field to start the inning and stole 2^nd. Garrett reached on an error and Passmore followed that up with a double to center field to score Gibson, making it 6-5 Lions. Aggie Bennett hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Garrett to make it 7-5 Lions. 

In the 6^th inning, the Lions pulled ahead. Grace Ausborn started things off with a single to shortstop. Varner followed that up with another single to short and Rocco singled to left field to score Ausborn, giving the Lions an 8-5 lead. After the runners advanced by stealing a base, Garrett walked and Passmore laced a double to score Varner and Rocco to make the final score 10-5, Lions.

At the plate, Jaryn Gibson and Abby Rocco both went 3-4. Gibson ended the day with 2 RBI's and one run scored, while Rocco had 1 RBI, and 3 runs scored. Ciarra Passmore led the team with 3 RBIs on 2 hits. 

In the circle, Carly Forrester got the start. She went 7.0 innings and gave up 5 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits, striking out a batter. 

The Lions are back in action at home tomorrow at 2&4PM as they host the Southern Wesleyan Warriors. For more information about Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.