DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (11-25, 9-13 CC) defeated Emmanuel University (4-38, 4-20 CC) in both games of a doubleheader at the Erskine Softball Complex on Friday. 

The Fleet got excellent starts from Erin Redmond and Zalee Brown and the offense combined for a joint season-high 14 runs in the doubleheader, as the Fleet earned a pair of convincing wins to continue their push to conference tournament qualification.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Erskine 7-2 Emmanuel
Back at home to start a four-game home stand over the weekend, Emily Johnson and Savannah Koester each delivered an RBI in the third inning to give the Fleet a 2-0 lead. Erskine starter Erin Redmond preserved that lead with four scoreless frames to begin her outing. Despite allowing a pair of runs in the fifth that tied the game, Redmond set down the Lions in order in the sixth and the Erskine bats delivered a punishing blow in the bottom half. A one-out single from Summer Nelsen followed by walks by Amber Clark and DC Still loaded the bases for Koester, who produced again, this time a go-ahead two-run single that fired the Fleet back in front. Hannah Lewis' RBI single a few batters later made it 5-2, and then Gabby Burroughs followed with a two-run double that capped a five-run inning for the Fleet. Redmond went back to the circle to finish the job in the seventh and worked around a two-out single to post another zero and put the finishing touches on a complete game gem and a game one win for the Fleet.

Game 2: Erskine 7-1 Emmanuel
Fueled by the late-inning outburst in the opener, the Fleet offense was a runaway train in game two. Gabby Burroughs opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first and Hannah Lewis added a run-scoring single as well in the opening frame. Emily Johnson scored on a wild pitch in the second and her RBI double helped the Fleet score twice more in the third. In the fourth, Johnson and Addy Crawford drove in runs and the Fleet had a commanding 7-0 lead. While the Erskine offense was scoring in every frame, starting pitcher Zalee Brown allowed just one hit through her first five innings in the circle to keep Emmanuel off the board. Brown stranded a couple of baserunners in a scoreless sixth, and although she ran into some trouble in the seventh that forced the Fleet to turn to Kinsley Kay, Erskine had plenty of cushion to complete a doubleheader and season sweep of the Lions.

THE PLAYER
Emily Johnson went a combined 4-for-7 at the plate on Friday, including being at the center of the Fleet's offense in game two. The senior shortstop posted a 3-for-4 performance with a run scored and two RBIs, including a run-scoring double in the third inning. The Columbia native posted a hit, run, and RBI in both games of the doubleheader out of the nine-spot in the lineup.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine has a quick turnaround, as the Fleet take on Ferrum College (10-30, 3-21 CC) on Friday at 1 p.m. for Family Day at the Erskine Softball Complex.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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