CLERMONT, Fla.—A busy first inning gave way to a defensive showcase, as Gordon Softball dropped a close game to non-conference foe Emerson. The Fighting Scots scored their only run of the game in the top half of first inning and the Lions answered with two in the bottom of the first to send them to a 3-1 victory over Gordon. The Fighting Scots drop to 1-4 this spring, while Emerson improves to 5-4.
 
Marissa Meenan (Wayne, Pa.) knocked a one-out triple to the wall in left field in the top of the first. Meenan paid attention to the throw back to the infield and advanced on a throw to the wrong base for Gordon's first run.
 
The Lions' Amanda Horton (Riverside, R.I.) countered with an inning-opening walk and immediately stole second to set up the equalizer. Jacqueline DeFusco (East Greenwich, R.I.) singled in Horton two batters later and eventually scored herself on an illegal pitch by Gordon starter Abigail Knowlton (Deer Isle, Maine)—giving the Lions a one-run lead.
 
Gordon struggled to get any timely hits against Emerson starter Samantha Corey (Londonderry, N.H.), who only gave up one hit after the first inning and struck out six Scots. The junior also walked none.
 
The Fighting Scots combination of Knowlton and Emily Kline (Park Ridge, N.J.) performed well, but the lack of offense hurt the Scots in a low-scoring affair. Emerson added an additional run in the fourth inning on a throwing error by the Gordon infield.
 
Gordon takes on Southern Maine and Babson on Friday morning at 9 and 11 a.m.