BUENA VISTA, Va. – On a sunny but chilly afternoon, the Southern Virginia University Softball team (11-3) reached double-digit wins after defeating visiting Juniata College (1-3) in both games of the doubleheader.
The first game started off strong for the visiting Eagles, who scored two runs in the top of the first. The scoring started with a double from Jessie Hunt, bringing in Cate Baran. Then, a single from Emily Eutsey brought Hunt home for the team's second run.
Southern Virginia responded with a run from
Arianna Prymak, brought in by
Jaci Shumway, and a solo home run by
Krystal Kemp, tying the contest 2-2.
In the third inning, the Knights took the lead, with Shumway tallying her second RBI of the game, bringing in Prymak from second.
Prymak was outstanding from the circle, allowing just one hit in the final four innings. She got help from stellar defense, which was key in hanging onto the lead for the rest of the game, winning 3-2.
The second game started with
Mattison Christensen blasting a ball out of the park in the bottom of the second for her first home run in a Southern Virginia uniform.
Juniata responded in the next inning with a single from Alex Douglass, bringing in Abby John, tying the game at one.
The Knights got hot in the bottom of the third, adding five runs to restore the advantage. A single from
Dykell Jones pushed Prymak to second, but an error by the center fielder saw the two advance, with Prymak racing all the way home. Jones later scored after Shumway doubled to center field. A Kemp single to right field added to the lead after she and Shumway advanced on a throwing error by the right fielder, with Shumway reaching the plate to increase the lead to three. Kemp was brought home following a triple to right field from
Adisen Webster, who scored on a sacrifice fly from
Katie Claytor for the final run of the inning, making the score 6-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Claytor doubled down the left field line, bringing in Shumway, increasing the lead to six.
The Eagles would not go away without a fight, adding two runs in the top of the sixth to cut the deficit to four. However, they could not produce any offense in the top of the seventh, awarding Kemp her third win from the circle this season.
Southern Virginia begins its spring break slate on the road at Ferrum College on Tuesday, Mar. 21, with the first of two games starting at 5 p.m.
For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University softball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_softball on Instagram.
