BOSTON, Mass. – Three home runs and four Lions batting over .500 on the day wasn't enough Friday night as the Emerson Softball Team opened up NEWMAC action with 14-2 (5) and 12-10 losses to Wheaton. On the year the Lions are now 10-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play as Wheaton improves to 19-1 on the year and 4-0 in the NEWMAC.

Game one saw the Lions come out unscathed in the first inning, but the Wheaton bats heated up in the second as the Lyons nearly batted around twice, putting up 11 runs in the inning off of seven hits and an error.

Emerson scrapped back in the third inning as Brittany Rochford put up a double to left field before Shannon Torosian singled up with middle to plate Rochford. Bianca Buono dug in after a Jenna Giannelli single to bring home Torosian with a single to left off a full count to make it 11-2.

The Lyons weren't finished yet though as they added three more runs in the fifth inning off of a two-RBI double from Jenna Rocha and another RBI from Emily Berardi to close out the win 14-2.

Game two saw the Lions compose themselves and fire back as they jumped out to take the lead with a two-run home run from Brittany Rochford off a full count. Wheaton answered the call in the third though, knotting the score with a RBI ground out from Jenna Rocha before Caroline Fairbanks went yard on a solo shot to make it 2-2.

EC dug in for the third inning though as they Jenna Giannelli doubled to right center before Bianca Buono drew a walk setting up Alexandra Wysota's three-run home run to left center. EC wasn't done yes though as Rochford lit up again, this time with two on as she sent a 1-1 pitch deep to right center to give Emerson the 8-2 lead.

The Lyons were scrappy though as they fought back to regain the lead, scoring seven runs off six hits and an Emerson error, this time with a two-RBI triple from Emma Hart and yet another huge home run from Caroline Fairbanks to right field for three more as they took a 9-8 lead.

Wheaton's bats stayed hot as well, adding on another run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to take a 12-8 lead. A sacrifice fly from Bianca Buono in the sixth made it 12-9 before the Lions threatened again in the seventh with Alexandra Magistro getting it started with a walk that Brittany Rochford brought home with an RBI single up the middle. The Lions loaded the bases with the threat to tie or take the lead with one out, but a fielder's choice and a ground out spelled the end of it for EC with the 12-10 final.

Next up the Lions will continue NEWMAC action as they head to Springfield on Saturday for a noon time double header against the Pride.