MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Eastern Women's Softball opened up its season with a clean sweep over the University of Mary Washington on Monday, winning by scores of 2-0 and 5-4. The Eagles used solid pitching and timely hitting to capture the victories.
"I was so proud of the effort the team put forward today," said Head Coach
Claire Emplit. "After practicing a majority of the time indoors and not be on a softball field, to come out and win both games is a great accomplishment by these girls."
In game one of the doubleheader,
Haleigh Williams turned in a solid effort on the mound to help Eastern (2-0) claim the win. Williams threw a complete game allowing only six hits, throwing 18 first-pitch strikes, and striking out three to earn her first win of the season.
"I thought Haleigh pitched a great game," continued Emplit. "We played great defense, and when one of their players reached base, we did an excellent job of limiting the damage and getting out of the inning."
In the bottom of the sixth inning with the score still deadlocked at 0-0,
Deanna Laughman sparked the Eagles offense. Laughman led off with an infield single to give Eastern a baserunner.
Ashton Tomlinson then reached base on an error which scored Laughman to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Kelsey Clever then reached first on a fielder's choice and advanced to third due to an error by Mary Washington (1-3). Clever scored on the very next play to extend Eastern's lead to 2-0 and secure the win.
In the second game,
Erin Johnson went 2-3 with four RBI's to help Eastern complete the sweep. In the third inning with the score even at 0-0, Johnson stepped to the plate and doubled to center field, scoring both Tomlinson and
Kasey Williams on the play to give Eastern the 2-0 lead.
"Erin was outstanding for us," said Emplit. "She was disciplined at the plate, and the results spoke for themselves today, and I am proud of how she stepped up and was able to deliver for us time and time again today."
The Eagles tacked on three more runs in the fifth inning, with Johnson knocking in two of them. After Clever had singled to load the bases, Johnson singled to center field scoring both
Kasey Williams and Tomlinson on the play to make the score 4-0.
Taylor Crown then singled to score Clever, extending Eastern's lead to 5-0.
University of Mary Washington finally got on the board in the sixth inning and trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Back-to-back doubles cut the Eagles lead to 5-3 followed by a triple that made the score 5-4. With the go-ahead run at the plate and the tying run on third,
Haleigh Williams, who came in on relief for
Alyssa Welsh, got the batter to pop out to
Taylor Crown for the final out of the game.
"That was certainly an exciting final half inning of softball," concluded Emplit. "However, our girls stuck together and found a way to battle through the adversity and come out on top with the victory."
Welsh finished the game allowing seven hits, giving up four runs but only one earned run, and striking out five. Tomlinson finished the day going 3-4 and scoring two runs.
Eastern takes on West Virginia State University March 2nd in a doubleheader.
