THE BASICS 

Score: Emerson 21, Bethany (WV) 3 (Final/8innings)

Records: Emerson Lions (1-0); Wheaton Thunder (1-1) 

Pitching Decision: W – Jessica Gomez (1-0), L – Lexie Vetter (0-1)

Location: Clermont, FL

Date: March 7, 2022

The Lead: Led by 4 RBI apiece from Senior Lexi Semanchik and Sophomore Makenzie Killough, the Lion's softball team explodes for 21 runes to begin their season with a victory over Bethany (WV)

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

EMERSON

Lexi Semanchik: 3 for 4 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored

Sophia CLoonan: 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored

Makenzie Killough: 2 for 2 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored

Sam Zannotti: 1 for 4 with 3 RBI

Claire Overton: 1 for 3 with 3 RBI

PITCHING: 

Jessican Gomez: 5 strikeouts and 3 runs through 5 innings pitched

Bethany (WV)

Hayley Eyler: 2 for 2 with 2 RBI

Felicity Eli: 1 for 1 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The Lion's offense wasted no time as they scored 9 runs in the bottom of the first inning.
• Freshman Sam Zannotti began the game with a leadoff walk and would eventually score the Lion's first run.
• Junior Sophi Cloonan, who had earlier reached on a single, would score on a bases-loaded walk to give the Lions an early 2-0 lead.
• Bethany would commit another bases-loaded walk before Sophomore Makenzie Killough would single in Senior Callie Pratt.
• The Lion's would cap their 9-run 1^st inning when Zannotti and Senior Lexi Semanchik would each chip in a 2-run double, giving the Lions a 9-0 lead entering the bottom of the 1^st.
• After a leadoff single, Freshman Jessica Gomez was able to force a double play and record a strikeout to keep Bethany scoreless after 1 full inning.
• The Lions were able to add anoteh run in the top of the 2^nd inning when Sophomore Claire Overton reached on a fielder's choice, plating Freshman Ally Lacey.
• Bethany would start the bottom half of the 2^nd inning with back-to-back singles, but Gomez would strand those 2 runners, keeping the Lions lead at 10-0.
• Emerson would go down quietly in the top half of the 3^rd before Bethany would get on the board in the home half of the inning.
• A leadoff walk would lead to an RBI for Bethany's Felicity Eli; followed by a 2 RBI triple for Hayley Eyler which would cut Emerson's lead to 10-3 after 3 innings.
• A leadoff single by Ally Lacey would start a 4-run rally by Emerson; pushing their lead to 14-3.
• Gomez would again keep Bethany from scoring a run in the 4^th inning.
• The Lions offense would explode for another 7 runs in the 5^th inning as a leadoff single for Semanchik would start the rally.
• Killough would drive in 2 runs with an RBI double, followed by Overton knocking in 2 more runs with a triple.
• Semanchik would cap the Lions 7-run inning with a 2 RBI single; giving the Lions a 21-3 advantage.
• Gomez would retire Bethany in order in the bottom of the 5^th, as the Lions would cruise to their first win in 2022.

UP NEXT

• The Lions continue their Spring Break trip in Florida as they face off against Westfield State and St. Joseph's (ME) in a doubleheader on March 8^th.