Salem, Va. -- The top-seeded University of Lynchburg's softball team advanced to Day 2 of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament Friday, winning in the opening round, 5-2 over Eastern Mennonite, before falling to No. 17 Roanoke, 3-2 in winner's bracket action.

In Game 1, Ashley Hailey went 3-for-4 with three RBI for the Hornets, who entered the tournament ranked 24th in the latest Division III national poll, and Emily Charlton tossed a complete game in the circle.

Lynchburg got out to a first-inning lead when Hailey hit a one-out single and scored on Bri Hodges' RBI fielder's choice. EMU tied the game in the third on a Kendall Stettler RBI single, but the Hornets struck again in the fourth. Gracie Dooley drew a leadoff walk, and Addison Walter reached on an error, setting up Hailey's two-out, two-run single that proved the difference in the game.

Hailey was in the middle of the Hornets' rally in the sixth as well. Caroline Joy drew a pinch-hit walk, and Lexi Powell reentered to run and promptly stole second. Then came Hailey, who dropped a bunt down the first-base line and beat the throw to first. Meanwhile, Powell streaked around third and scored with a nifty slide to make it 4-2 Hornets. Hailey then scored on Sophie Tully's RBI single, Tully's third hit of the day, for a 5-2 lead.

Charlton set the Royals down without trouble in the seventh to clinch the win. Lynchburg has now won its opener in the ODAC tournament four consecutive times.

In the late game, Roanoke struck early for a 1-0 lead and threatened again in the top of the second, chasing Hornets starter Angela Sperandeo from the ballgame with one out in the second. Freshman Kailey Dorcsis entered in relief and pitched out of a bases-loaded jam to keep the deficit at a single run, and then the Lynchburg offense came alive.

Karle Cundiff led off the bottom of the second by reaching on an error and came around to score on an Addison Walter RBI single. The game remained tied as both teams escaped jams until the seventh inning.

Roanoke put together a rally in the top of the last inning. Adriana Rivera led off the inning with a walk, and the Maroons loaded the bases before Kate Houle delivered the go-ahead single to left field. RC added another run in the inning for a 3-1 lead headed into the bottom half.

Lynchburg then countered with a rally of its own. Kaleigh Hackett led off the frame with a single, and Walter put runners on second and third with a knock of her own. After a pitching change and an out, Carly Hudnall laid down a perfect bunt single to bring Hackett in and make it a one-run ballgame. Ashley Hailey was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, but RC reliever Jada Karnes buckled down to get the final two outs and seal the win for the Maroons.

Top-seeded Lynchburg (24-18) moves into the elimination bracket of the tournament, where the Hornets will take on No. 6 seed Ferrum at 11 a.m. on Field 3 of the Moyer Sports Complex. Lynchburg will need to win thrice Saturday to advance to Sunday's championship.

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--LYN--