ATLANTA, Ga. – Emory University (14-0) used a seven-run sixth inning to break open a tie game en route to an 8-1 win over Birmingham-Southern (5-2) at the Emory Softball Field on Saturday.

The Panthers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a Danielle Rucker RBI double, scoring Joanna Jernigan.

Megan Light doubled and scored on an Alyssa Pollard single to left to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth.

With the game tied 1-1 in the sixth, Emory scored seven runs on four hits to take an 8-1 lead. Natalie McLaughlin and Moria Sullivan had RBI singles to score the first two runs and Light drew a walk and Claire Bailey was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.   Pollard delivered the big blow with a bases clearing triple.

BSC had five hits in the game with Taylor Bassett going 2-for-2. Brittany Berkopec, Rucker, and Elizabeth Ballew had one hit apiece.

Bethany Fronk (4-1)  was the pitcher of record for BSC, allowing eight runs on eight hits with a strikeout. Amanda Kardys (9-0) struck out seven and allowing one unearned run on five hits to get the win for Emory.

BSC is scheduled to play Roanoke in game two today at 1 p.m.