The softball team headed to sunny Florida for some University Athletic Association (UAA) tournament action on March 11, where both school records and undefeated record streaks were broken. Eighth-ranked Emory entered the weekend with a solid 20-0 record and finished the weekend falling to No. 15 in the nation after losing three games. Still, the squad was able to clinch a share of the UAA tournament title with a win over Case Western Reserve University (Ohio).
“We were excited to win [the tournament] yet definitely somewhat disappointed to share the championship after a three year streak of winning,” junior Micah Scharff said.
Emory had a slow start to tournament play, falling 7-2 to Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.) on opening day. Wash. U took an early lead as they racked up a total of four runs in the first inning of play. The Eagles struggled offensively as their opponent added another pair of runs. Emory was finally able to retaliate in the fifth inning as they tacked on two runs when senior Ally Kersthold hit a double.
The Eagles were able to avenge their loss later that day against University of Rochester (N.Y.). Freshman Brittany File proved to be an integral part of the win as she struck out 15 batters and surrendered only a single hit, setting the school record for a UAA tourney game. Emory controlled the game early on after scoring four runs in the first inning, three of them being produced by Scharff’s home run. The team finished with a 6-0 win over the Yellowjackets.
Although the first loss of the season put a dent in Emory’s previously perfect season record, the team took everything they could from it and moved forward. “We learned that we can fight through any deficit,” Scharff added.
Resuming tournament play on the following day, Emory maintained their dominant mindset as they took on Brandeis University (Mass). The ball game was back and forth as the Eagles headed into the bottom of the fifth inning down by one run.
Emory exploded with seven runs to make the score 14-6. Highlights included sophomore Cortney Sugihara’s home run that drove in three runs.
On the third day of UAA tournament play, the Eagles split their double-header games against Case Western and Wash. U.
Emory controlled the first half of the game against Case, gaining a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.
The Spartans did not remain complacent as they chipped away at the deficit with two run-producing homers. Case was able to finalize the comeback during the sixth inning when they took a 5-4 lead over Emory.
The Eagles were later able to avenge their loss against Wash. U as they faced the Bears a second time during the tournament, this time winning 3-1.
The close match-up remained scoreless during the first five innings. Sophomore Hannah Sendel broke the silence with a home run that tallied three runs for the Eagles. Wash. U attempted to answer, but their single run was not enough.
On Friday, March 14, Emory was able to shut down Rochester again in a decisive 10-5 win in their only game of the day.
During the final hours of tournament play, Emory suffered a tough loss against Brandeis in the afternoon but was able to bounce back with a win over Case to solidify the shared UAA tournament title.
During their second game against Brandeis, the Eagles started with a two run lead. But the Judges responded with a thirst for retribution as they scored 10 consecutive runs after the fourth inning. Emory hammered back in the following inning, starting with sophomore Alyssa Pollard’s double, for a total of five runs to reclaim an 11-10 advantage. But the relentless Judges snuck in a pair of runs late in the game to clinch a 12-11 win over Emory.
Luckily, Emory still had a chance at the hardware. During their final game of tournament play, the Eagles were able to rally back and forth against Case to eventually claim not only a win over the Spartans but also a shared UAA tournament title.
Although the Eagles were able to bring home a title, it was a bittersweet victory as the Eagles were unable to unequivocally claim first place.
“We are trying to take each game one at a time and improve every day so that we are at our best for regionals,” Scharff said.
– By Zoe Elfenbein
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