London walks it off in series finale against Cleveland

RALEIGH, NC — Kendall London's walk-off, three-run home run on against Cleveland capped off an incredible comeback from 7-0 down to split Saturday's doubleheader. The Eagles improve to 5-5 in conference play.

"My message to the team was to keep hitting it," head coach Keith Edgerton said. "We were making good contact all weekend, and eventually it would find the gaps. After that, we were going to approach it one at bat at a time."

The Eagles didn't score their first runs in the game until the sixth inning when Cyndia Dobbins hit a pinch-hit, two-run shot. From there, London reached base on a two-out hit and Kelly Anderson doubled her home to make it 7-3. 

Nala McCallop singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh, but after the Yetis recorded two outs, it looked like the comeback would be cut short. Emily Phelps struck out on a breaking pitch, but the ball got away from the catcher and Phelps was able to beat the throw down to first to keep the Eagles' hopes alive. Marie Whalen then reached on an error from Cleveland third baseman Gracie Elmore, which brought home a run to make it 7-4. Hailie Edmondson then singled to center scoring Phelps, bringing London to the plate as the winning run. 

London then hit a laser over the center field fence, winning the game for Wake Tech. Edgerton, who also coaches third base, couldn't contain his excitement as London rounded third heading towards her teammates, who were waiting for her at home plate.

"We play a game at the end of practice where each player gets five swings," Edgerton said. "We split the team in two and the goal is to hit it into the outfield or hit it out, and the team on defense has to try and stop it from hitting the grass. In the seventh, we kept finding the grass… and then we hit one out."

Next up for the Eagles is a home doubleheader against Camp on Wednesday, March 20 starting at 1:00pm. 

Additional game notes: 

• In game one, Sarah Gillie hit the first home run of her collegiate career. 
• Hailie Edmondson pitched the final four innings in the series finale on Saturday, picking up her second win of the season. She finished the game without allowing an earned run.