EMORY, Va. --- The Tusculum University softball team scored just once in the South Atlantic Conference doubleheader at Emory & Henry on Wednesday (Mar. 1), despite a combined 12 hits.

Tusculum (11-10, 0-2 SAC) returns to the road to face No. 21 Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory. First pitch for the two-game tilt is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Game 1: Emory & Henry 2, Tusculum 0
Two first inning runs by the Wasps paired with eight left on base by the Pioneers spoiled TU's conference opener.

Tusculum had a runner in scoring position in five of the seven frames but was never able to capitalize. Both Kallyn Newport and Hannah Hughes notched doubles as two of the Pioneers' six hits. TU also had two errors extend their offensive threat, yet ill-timed strikeouts got in the way.

Emory & Henry scored both of its runs with two outs in the first on back-to-back hits, following the lone walk.

Emily Sappington (5-5) was tagged with the loss. She allowed only three hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck out seven. Sappington now needs just eight strikeouts for the program career record.

Game 2: Emory & Henry 5, Tusculum 1
Tusculum was able to throw the first punch, but Emory & Henry threw the last five.

Newport singled to start off the contest, then proceeded to steal second and third. Sappington drew a two-out walk to send Sammy Jimenez up to the plate. She drilled a single through the left side to score the leading Newport.

Ireland Cavanaugh had a rough start to her outing. She wriggled out of a bases-loaded, no out situation with just two runs scored. She and catcher Chloe Freischmidt made a heads up play to prevent any more damage. The lead runner attempted to score on a wild pitch, but quick feet and a perfect throw by Freischmidt led to Cavanaugh's swipe tag at the plate.

TU threatened to score again in the third. Claire Smeltzer hit a leadoff double and Freischmidt laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance her to third. However, consecutive infield groundouts prevented a run scoring.

The Wasps tacked on a two-run home run in the bottom half of the third inning and a solo shot in the fourth to lead 5-1.

Tusculum created another scoring opportunity in the sixth. Freischmidt led off with a single through the left side and advanced to second on a Jimenez hit to the opposite side. A fielder's choice put runners on the corners with two outs, but the ball did not leave the infield.

In four innings of work, Cavanaugh (4-4) allowed five earned runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Keylon Reynolds entered in relief to finish out the final two frames. She faced the minimum six batters, striking out two.