For immediate release – 4/12/2015 - #407
Hope Johnson Throws No-Hitter as LC Softball Sweeps EMU 3-0, 3-0

LYNCHBURG, VA – Lynchburg College senior right-hander Hope Johnson threw a no-hitter Sunday afternoon in the first game of an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) doubleheader against visiting Eastern Mennonite University. Hornet pitchers kept the EMU bats at bay all day with the team's third and fourth-straight shutouts in 3-0 victories in each game.

Johnson allowed just one base-runner, hitting a Royal batter in the top of the fourth. Facing just one batter over the minimum, she allowed no EMU player to advance past first base. Johnson struck out seven over seven frames.

LC got on the scoreboard with two runs in the third, as junior Danielle Powell homered to centerfield, just beyond the Royal centerfielder's mitt. The Hornets loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth and added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly from Logan Walker.

Kayla St. John had two hits and Powell also walked twice.

Freshman Conner English followed Johnson in the circle for the nightcap and was nearly as effective in a complete-game win. She allowed just three hits and no walks with seven punch-outs.

LC broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases with one out. The Royals recorded a force play at home for the second out, but senior Jessi Hall hit a single up the middle to score two runs.  

The Hornets added an insurance run in the sixth. Powell led off with a single and later scored on a single by Olivia Donohue. 

Donohue had two hits. Lauren Seale pitched all six innings for Eastern Mennonite (14-12/7-11 ODAC), giving up six hits and no walks with three earned runs.

The Hornets (26-11/14-4) close out regular-season play Saturday at home against Randolph-Macon College at 1:30 p.m. The program's six seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.

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