A 10-run first inning set the tone for Emmaus as the Hornets continued their winning ways with a 17-7 rout at Bethlehem Catholic on Tuesday afternoon.
Head coach Rich Giering’s team won its eighth straight game in improving to 9-2 overall and 6-2 in the EPC.
“When you get off to the start that we did today it really takes some of the wind out of the sails of the other team,” said Geiring, the Hornets third year coach. “We did slow down a little bit after that big inning and I just told the girls that we have to keep going and moving forward.
“We will take the wins and we are playing good softball. Our defense is getting better.”
Averaging almost 12 runs a game through the first 10 games of the season, Emmaus once again put up big numbers as they scored in double digits for the eighth time in pounding out 18 hits off of two Golden Hawks pitchers.
Shortstop Brianna Amey led the offense going 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBI to lead the Hornets offense.
“She’s a good player,” said Giering of Amey. “I expect a little bit more out of her but she plays the game with 125 percent. Coming into the season I really expected her to have a good year and she has so far.”
Designated hitter Abby Derr also had a big game going 2-for-4 with three RBI, while rightfielder Molly Yard, pitcher Autumn Held, first baseman Emma Kozy, second baseman Sadie Haefeli and third baseman Taylor Gitski all had two hits.
Emmaus came out swinging in the top of the first scoring 10 runs on eight hits and chasing Becahi starter freshman Madison Bixler, who lasted just 2/3 of an inning. Reliever, senior Mia VanFleet, didn’t fare much better, allowing seven runs on 10 hits the rest of the way.
Becahi, which entered the game with a 4-2 mark, was able to rally and cut Emmaus’ lead to 12-7 after six innings, but the Hornets pulled away scoring five runs in their final at-bat for the 10-run victory.
For the Golden Hawks, second baseman Hailey Pyle drove in three runs and went 2-for-4, while center fielder Madeline Ahner, catcher Addison Gregor and VanFleet each added two hits.
In the circle, Held picked up the victory for Emmaus, scattering 12 hits in the complete-game effort. The right-hander struck out seven and walked just two.
Up next for the Hornets will be Liberty (7-1) at home on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
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Emmaus 17, Becahi 7
Em – (10)02 000 5 – 17-18-2
BC – 021 202 0 – 7-12-3
Autumn Held and Moyer; Madison Bixler, Mia VanFleet (1) and Addison Greger. LP – Bixler