Cam Derr, Sports Writer TUCSON, Ariz. — The softball team traveled to Tucson, AZ this past week to compete in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic. The Wasps faced elite teams, including No.15 ranked Mary-Hardin Baylor, Claremont Mudd-Scripps and No.5 Illinois Wesleyan and Pacific Lutheran. Their final game against Emerson was canceled due to inclement weather conditions. The NFCA Classic is hosted every two years. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association invites the top teams in the nation to compete. This year Emory & Henry was part of that vote. On Friday evening, March 6, the Wasps faced No.15 Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Crusaders scored after a double to right field and a fielding error. E&H held their opponents to one run until the bottom of the fifth when Lexi Harris scored on a double to left field by Milly Cesare, and then again after a misplayed single to right field scored Cesare. In the top of the seventh the Wasps threatened after sophomore Anna Thomas scored on a single to the right side by Nicole Cox. E&H left two runners on in the seventh, and the Crusaders were able to escape with the win 3-1. In game two of the night, the Wasps faced off against the Stags of Claremont Mudd-Scripps. The Stags scored two in the first after a couple of fielding errors allowed them to reach home plate. In the bottom of the frame, E&H chipped away, scoring one after first baseman Kendall Varner singled up the middle plating Leanna Toler. CMS got a rally going in the second as they pulled ahead 6-1. In the bottom of the third, senior Alex Thomas singled through the left side, and Anna Thomas was able to score on a throwing error. The game was then postponed until the following morning due to the light ordinance in Tucson. Early the next morning, the Wasps were able to hold off the Stags until the fifth when they were able to push a run-across. E&H had home field advantage and in the bottom of the final inning were able to claw back, scoring five runs. However, the winning run was left stranded on second base, and Emory & Henry went down 8-7. Going into the next day, E&H took on the No. 5 nationally-ranked team Illinois Wesleyan. IWU scored four runs and shut out the Wasps. National pitcher of the year Ally Weigand threw a no-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts. In game four against Babson, E&H led the way going into the seventh with a score of 5-3. Elizabeth D’Agostino scored after advancing to third on a steal and scoring on a fielder's choice. Victoria Casey scored on a bases-loaded walk. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Marlee Hamor knocked in the winning run with a single up the middle. In the final game against Pacific Lutheran on Sunday morning, Anna Thomas scored Nicole Cox after a double in the left-center gap. This would be the only run put up by the Wasps this game. Pacific Lutheran chipped away, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first and another in the bottom of the third. The bats were not able to come alive the rest of the game as six runners were left on base. The Lutes took the win 3-1 over the Wasps. While the Wasps went 0-5 on the weekend, senior Leanna Toler said, “We faced some of the best teams in the nation, and we were invited because we are considered one of those teams. We may not have won, but we were right there in every game. It was a learning experience for our program, and we’re ready for the rest of the season.” The Wasps will go into conference play Wednesday, March 11 as they travel to Roanoke College. The first pitch is set for 5 p.m.
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