Box Score Eastern Mennonite University rallied from a 6-1 deficit after six innings to record an 8-6 Old Dominion Athletic Conference baseball victory over Randolph-Macon College on Tuesday afternoon in Ashland, Va.

EMU (8-11, 1-4 ODAC) jumped out on top with a run in the first thanks to an RBI double by junior center fielder Cole Thornton to score junior right fielder Zach Hawke.

R-MC (6-12, 1-6 ODAC) responded with four runs in the bottom of the third. Junior third baseman Travis Beazley hit a two-run double and junior catcher Seth Rapoza followed with a two-run home run. The Yellow Jackets added two runs in the sixth. Junior first baseman Tim Hodges doubled to plate sophomore designated hitter Brian Rogers, who led off the inning with a triple. The lead increased to 6-1 when Hodges later scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore right fielder Bobby White.

The Royals began their rally in the top of the seventh. Senior left fielder Chad Thornton singled in junior catcher Kenny Riley. Junior second baseman Michael Kniss later tripled to score Thornton and sophomore shortstop Shelton Stevens to pull within 6-4.

In the eighth, EMU put together a two-out rally to take the lead with three unearned runs. Chad Thornton hit an RBI single and freshman third baseman Curt Almarode then hit a two-run double to push the Royals on top. Junior first baseman Casey Armstrong added an RBI single in the ninth to account for the 8-6 final score.

Freshman Jeremy Morris tossed three scoreless innings in relief to earn the victory and improve to 3-1 overall for the season. Senior T.J. Frazier started for the Royals and surrendered six runs on nine hits in six innings.

Stevens went 3-for-4 at the plate for the Royals. Hawke, Riley, Chad Thornton, and Kniss each had two hits as part of the 15-hit offensive attack for EMU.

Freshman Devin O'Meara allowed four runs in seven innings for the Yellow Jackets. Senior Chris Murray took the loss and dropped to 0-2 on the season while surrendering three unearned runs in one inning on the mound.

Freshman shortstop Chris Dykes, Beazley, Hodges, and White each had two hits for R-MC. Beazley and Rapoza each drove in two runs.

EMU and R-MC are scheduled to play later this season in Harrisonburg, but the date is still undecided after last Wednesday's game was rained out. The Royals will host the University of Mary Washington on Thursday in a non-conference game at 3 p.m.