Offense Powers Softball Past Emmanuel

The Brenau softball team used early inning runs to sweep Emmanuel (Ga.) College in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday in Franklin Springs, Georgia.

In game one, Courtney Kenney and Kelsey Payne each slugged home runs and the Brenau offense pounded out 16 hits and stole five bases en route to an 11-4 victory.

The Golden Tigers scored six runs in the top of the first inning to jump on the host Lions. After Emmanuel put four runs up in the bottom of the third inning, the Golden Tigers offense added three runs in the fifth and single runs in the sixth and seventh to close out the game.

Kenney went 4-4 with a homer, two RBIs and a stolen base, while Tabitha Morrison went 3-4 with three RBIs. Kelsey Payne added two RBIs, Lexi Cash chipped in two hits and an RBI, while Mackenzie Oliver Mullis had three hits and two stolen bases.

Starter Kathleen Daniel pitched four innings, allowing four runs on four hits with 10 strikeouts, while Jessica Rathje threw three shutout innings in relief for the win.

In the second game, the Brenau offense again scored four early runs to hold on for an 8-5 win.

After putting their four early runs up on the board, the bats added three more runs in the top of the fourth for a 7-0 lead. The Lions answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but the Golden Tigers answered with an insurance run in the top of the seventh for the win.

Payne continued her solid day at the plate with three hits and two RBIs, while Kenney added two hits and an RBI. Shelton Kendrix drove in two RBIs, while Savannah Moore and Sarah Peery also had RBIs.

Starter Kathleen Daniel pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and one run for the win.

Brenau (18-3 overall) next travels to the Gulf Coast Invitational to play #13 Georgia Gwinnett College at 10 am and Freed Hardeman (Tenn.) University at 2 pm.