The bats came alive for Roanoke College in the first game of a double-header against Eastern Mennonite University as the Maroons pounded out seven runs in the first three innings on their way to a 9-5 win while taking the second game by a score of 8-4 thanks to a four-run ninth inning.

Roanoke improves to 3-13 overall on the season and 2-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with the Royals falling to 4-15 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

Roanoke had a 7-0 lead before EMU added a run in the bottom of the third on an RBI single from senior second baseman Zach Hawke (Salisbury, Md.), driving in catcher Max Kelly (Baltimore, Md.).

Kelly went 2-for-3 from the dish for EMU with two runs scored and an RBI.

The Royals added another run in the next inning on a fielder's choice before tacking on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Roanoke lead to 7-5. Kelly drove in one for EMU with leftfielder Andrew Pittman (Culpeper, Va.) scoring on a passed ball while freshman shortstop Cody Davis (Goodview, Va.) drove in the final run of the inning for EMU on a single up the middle.

The Maroons put the game away in the top of the seventh scoring twice to push their lead to 9-5 thanks to a wild pitch and a single by designated hitter Dan Fallen.

Catcher Jake Furry went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs for Roanoke.

In the second game, EMU battled back from an early 3-0 deficit by scoring once in the second and three times in the third to take a 4-3 lead.

Roanoke tied the game in the top half of the fifth on an RBI groundout from first baseman Nathan Unroe. The score remained tied until the top of the ninth when the Maroons put four runs on the board on six hits for the 8-4 win.

Chase Davidson pitched a complete game for RC, surrendering four runs, one earned on six hits while walking three and striking out two for the win.

Senior outfielder Brandon Zollman (Lexington, Va.) had two hits in five trips to the plate for EMU with Pittman and senior first baseman Chad Johns (Waynesboro, Va.) each going 1-for-4 with an RBI.

The Royals will now face off against ODAC foe Randolph-Macon in a single game starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21.