CHATTANOOGA -- Fresh off being ranked as the new #2 team in NCAA DIII, the Emory University Lady Eagles wasted little time in showing why they deserve that ranking. Emory cruised past Covenant on Thursday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep with scores of 9-2 and 7-0. With the losses, Covenant is now under .500 on the year at 4-6, while Emory improves its perfect record to 24-0.
It was a tough day for the entire Lady Scots team. Covenant scored a combined 2 runs on 10 hits on the day. But the defense, which has been good all year, let the Lady Scots down on this day as they committed 7 errors that directly led to 9 unearned runs for Emory.
In game one, Emory got on the board first with a run in the top of the 1st inning. But Covenant responded as Courtney Wagoner connected on her second home run of the season, a solo shot, to tie the game at 1.
Emory would score five times in the 2nd inning, taking a commanding lead at 6-1. Kristen Walker's RBI double in the 4th inning provided some hope for Covenant as they cut the deficit to 6-2. Again Emory responded, though, as the lady Eagles scored 2 runs in the 5th inning and then added an insurance run in the 7th inning to claim the win.
Covenant was able to hang with the powerful Lady Eagles in the second game of the twin bill, but the offense could never get going. Emory starting pitcher Bridgett Holloway pitched a brilliant game as she went all 7 innings allowing just 4 hits and striking out 8. Covenant had a base-runner reach third base just once (1st inning) in game two.
Covenant starter Sonja Townsend matched Holloway through the first 2 innings, but in the 3rd inning Emory put their first run on the board with a run-scoring single from Jessica Thomas. The Lady Eagles then scored twice in the 5th inning, three times in the 6th inning, and added a single run in the 7th inning.
Kristen Walker and Beth Harris combined for 4 of Covenant's 10 hits on the day. Walker went 2 for 3 with an RBI in game one, while Harris was 2 for 3 in game number two. Harris is now second on the team in hits (10) behind Courtney Wagoner (12).
Covenant will now have almost a week off before they hit the diamond again. The Lady Scots will play host to Cumberland University, an NAIA member, on Wednesday, March 23 at Warner Park in Chattanooga. First pitch for game one is set for 5:00pm.
