The No.23-ranked Emory softball team was able to capitalize on another successful weekend, winning three games during the 3N2 Invitational Tournament. The Eagles improved their season record to 13-0. The tournament took place at Emory.
Led by Head Coach Penny Siqueiros, the Eagles were able to take down Bridgewater College (Mass.) twice on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, and Mississippi College on Sunday afternoon.
“The team is maturing,” Siqueiros said. “I think we are really starting to see some quality progress in the way we are playing.”
The Eagles’ weekend success was keyed by junior pitcher Amanda Kardys, who picked up all three wins during the two days and did not let up a single run.
“Our shining star so far this season has been Amanda because she has carried our pitching staff throughout the beginning of the season as we continue to deal with some injuries,” Siqueiros said.
The team began the weekend with a 4-0 victory against Bridgewater College behind a strong pitching effort from Kardys, who pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only four hits on the day, to earn her seventh victory of the season. The Eagles jumped into the lead in the bottom of the first when junior Megan Light hit an RBI double to bring home junior Ally Kersthold. The Eagles added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth behind a two-run double from sophomore Brianna Berceau.
The Eagles picked up their second win of the weekend against Bridgewater College by a score of 5-0. Kardys got the start again and continued to pitch extremely well, throwing another complete game shutout, and only letting up six hits.
“The team really came together this weekend,” Kardys said. “In our games against Bridgewater College, scoring first and keeping a tight defense were very important. The tight defense gave me confidence to pitch both games.”
Emory hit some bumps in the road against Mississippi College as they went down 3-0 early in the first inning. The Eagles, however, responded quickly, scoring runs in the bottom of the first and second innings to cut the deficit to one.
The team took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, as freshman Katelyn Gibson singled in the tying and go-ahead runs, which gave the Eagles a 4-3 lead and would eventually turn into the game-winning hit. Kardys picked up her third win of the weekend and improved her record to 9-0, after coming into the game in relief and pitching 6 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, allowing only two hits.
“Going down against Mississippi College brought a challenge to our team,” Kardys said, but we chipped away and played a strong come-from-behind game. Coming into that game I knew I had to control the ball effectively to stop their batters’ momentum and relied on my defense to make the plays behind me.”
Emory will return to play next weekend on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday March 3, when the Eagles host the 3N2 Elite Event.
“The key is consistency,” Siqueiros said. “We just need to continue to try and have more consistency in all phases of the game. That is the only way we will continue to be successful throughout the rest of the season.”
– Contact Brian Chavkin at bchavs@emory.edu
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