ROME, GA – The Emmanuel Softball team traveled to Rome, GA to take on the Shorter University Hawks in conference action. Game one was a pitcher's duel, with the Hawks scoring 6 late runs to take the game, 6-0. The Lions battled back in game two with two late runs, but the Hawks edged the Lions 4-3. 

GAME ONE

Game one was a pitcher's duel from the start, with the game staying scoreless until late.

Both teams threatened in the 1^st inning, with runners getting in scoring position but Emmanuel's Autumn Matherly struck out two batters and caused another to hit a line-out to close the inning with the teams knotted at 0-0.

In the bottom of the 2^nd, the Hawks loaded the bases, but Matherly got out of the inning unscathed, with a line-out ending the at bat with the game tied, 0-0.
Two Hawks got on base in the bottom of the 3^rd, but Matherly sat down the last two batters in the inning to keep the score 0-0.

Kelsey Lester laced a double to centerfield in the top of the 5^th to put a runner in scoring position for the Lions, but a pop up ended the threat. In the bottom of the 5^th, the Hawks opened the scoring with a run on a hit to take the lead, 1-0. 

Arlie Gooden singled to start off the 6^th inning, but the Hawks sat down the final two batters to end the threat, keeping the score 1-0, Hawks. In the bottom of the 6^th, the Hawks pushed their lead to 6—0, scoring 5 runs on 4 hits and an error. 

The Lions threatened, getting a runner on board in the top of the 7^th but a groundout ended the at-bat, with the Hawks taking the game 6-0.

At the plate, Kelsey Lester and Arlie Gooden led the way going 2-3. 

In the circle, Autumn Matherly threw 5.2 innings. She gave up 6 runs on 11 hits, striking out 3 batters and walking 4. Quinn Overby relieved her to face 4 batters, walking two batters.

GAME TWO

 After a scoreless 1^st inning, the Hawks scored 3 runs on 3 hits in the bottom of the 2^nd to take a 3-0 lead. 

The Lions answered in the top of the 3^rd. Gillian Price reached 1^st on an error and Ashley Fountain followed that up with a single to right field to advance Price to 2^nd.
Jacie McCall kept things going with a single to right field to load the bases. Carson Stowe walked to score a run, cutting the Hawks lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the 3^rd, the Reagan Beagle walked a batter but struck out a batter to end the at-bat with the score still, 3-1 Hawks.

Shelby Rinefierd led off the 4^th inning with a single up the middle, but the Hawks ended the threat with a pop-up. Beagle continued to pitch strong, giving up a walk but closing out the at-bat with a groundout to keep the score 3-1, Hawks.

After a scoreless 5^th inning, the Hawks added a run to their lead in the bottom of the 6^th to make the score 4-1, Shorter.

The Lions responded well in the 7^th. Ashley Fountain singled to start off the at-bat, and Jacie McCall followed that up with a single up the middle to advance Fountain to 3^rd. Ciara Passmore hit into a fielder's choice, with McCall getting thrown out at 2^nd, but Fountain scoring to make it, 4-2 Hawks. A single to right center by Stowe scored Passmore to cut the Hawks lead to one, 4-3 but a pop-up ended the game giving Shorter the 4-3 win. 

At the plate, Ashley Fountain went 2-3 with a run scored, while Ciara Passmore and Jacie McCall went 2-4. Passmore scored a run and picked up an RBI. 

In the circle, Reagan Beagle threw a complete game. She gave up 4 runs on 3 hits. She walked 5 batters and struck out 3.

Next up, the Lions will travel to Due West, SC on Friday to face Erskine at 2 & 4PM. 

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.