Eastern Mennonite University clinched at least a tie for sixth place in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with a 14-2 and 12-3 doubleheader sweep of Randolph-Macon College in conference softball action on Sunday in Ashland, Va.

In the first game, EMU (15-14, 6-10 ODAC) struck for eight runs in the third and six in the fourth to take a commanding 14-0 lead. R-MC (11-18, 4-12 ODAC) scored two in the bottom of the fourth but could get no closer as EMU won 14-2 in five innings by the 10-run rule.

Sophomore Tessa Grubb (4-6) earned the victory for the Lady Royals after allowing two runs on five hits in five innings. Sophomore center fielder Sabrina Tusing was 3-for-4 with two runs and seven RBIs, thanks primarily to a two-run home run in the third and a three-run shot in the fourth. It was her third home run of the weekend. Grubb and freshman third baseman Laura Bomberger were each 2-for-3 for EMU and scored five runs combined.

Sophomore Synthia Reader (4-7) took the loss for R-MC after allowing four runs in 2 1/3 innings. Freshman first baseman Meaghan Mauck went 2-for-2 at the plate while sophomore designated player Kathryn Collier drove in both runs for the Yellow Jackets.

In the second game, EMU led 4-3 after three innings, but the Lady Royals struck for one run in the fourth, four in the fifth, and three in the seventh in cruising to the 12-3 victory. Freshman Natasha Viafora (5-2) earned the victory after allowing three runs on three hits in four innings. Freshman Mandy Morris pitched three scoreless innings in relief to earn her third save of the season.

At the plate for the Lady Royals, senior second baseman Erin Partee went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Junior first baseman Kristin Lapp went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and Bomberger went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Grubb went 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored while freshman catcher Miranda White went 2-for-5 for EMU.

Reader (4-8) started and took her second loss of the day after allowing five runs, two earned on eight hits in three innings. Freshman Brooke Snyder went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs along with a home run.

EMU is currently in sixth place in the conference standings but must wait for the results of Tuesday's doubleheader between Emory & Henry College and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. If EHC sweeps R-MCW, it will tie EMU for sixth place and the Wasps hold the tiebreaker over the Lady Royals for the final ODAC playoff spot. If EHC loses one or both games, then EMU will be the sixth team in the tournament. The Lady Royals have a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Southern Virginia University on Tuesday to close the regular season.


Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score