The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (26-7, 16-2 ODAC) swept conference opponent Roanoke in a key conference matchup.
Emma Adams tallied two wins today pitching 10.0 innings, allowed three runs, and had 12 strikeouts.
Game One:
Virginia Wesleyan started strong, with Mackenzie Myers scoring the first run of the game after Olivia Knight doubled to right center, bringing her home. Alison Pollack followed up with a single up the middle, bringing Knight in for another run.
Roanoke responded with a run in the bottom of the second to bring the score to 2-1.
Olivia Knight continued her offensive prowess in the third inning, with another double to right center, bringing in two runs, Myers and Karley Beltran. Joslyn Woodard added to the lead with a single up the middle, scoring Knight to put the Marlins up 5-1. Brianna Jones then singled up the middle, bringing in Julia Piotrowski and Emma Adams, extending VWU's lead to 7-1.
In the fourth inning, Alison Pollack extended the lead with a single up the middle, bringing Laci Campbell home. Emma Adams hit a single through the left side, bringing in Pollack. Then, Piotrowski hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Olivia Knight to score to put the Marlins up 10-1.
Brooke Powell capped off Virginia Wesleyan's scoring with a three-run homer to left field, bringing in Mackenzie Swanson and Emily Halloway to take a commanding 13-1 lead.
The Maroons scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead down to 13-4.
Olivia Knight led the team going 2-for-2 with two doubles, scored three runs, and three RBI, Alison Pollack was 2-for-3 and recorded two RBI, and Brooke Powell had a big impact in her one at bat going 1-for-1 with a three-run homer.
Emma Adams recorded the win, pitching 3.0 innings, allowed one run on two hits, and tallied five strikeouts.
Game Two:
Game two kicked off with Virginia Wesleyan taking an early lead in the first inning. Olivia Knight's powerful hit to right field resulted in a triple, allowing Mackenzie Myers to dash home, putting VWU on the scoreboard. Roanoke quickly responded, tying the game at 1-1 after the first inning.
In the third inning, the Marlins regained the lead. Alison Pollack's well-placed hit to second base brought in Myers, putting Virginia Wesleyan ahead 2-1.
The Maroons managed to even the score in the fourth inning with M. Courts launching a homer to right center, knotting the game at 2-2.
The game remained deadlocked until the sixth inning when Virginia Wesleyan's offense ignited once again. Julia Piotrowski's presence on base proved valuable as she reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Emily Halloway to cross home plate. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Laci Campbell took a hit-by-pitch, bringing Julia Piotrowski home, and giving VWU a 4-2 lead.
In the seventh inning, the Marlins added an insurance run. Joslyn Woodard's single allowed Sam Smith to score, extending Virginia Wesleyan's lead to 5-2.
VWU's offense was led by Julia Piotrowski who went 2-for-4, scored one run, one RBI, and two stolen bases, Laci Campbell was 2-for-3 and registered one RBI, and Joslyn Woodard was 2-for-4, had one RBI, and one stolen base.
Emma Adams pitched a complete game for her 12th win of the season, she allowed two runs, on five hits, and notched seven strikeouts.
