Two bad innings cost the Royals Wednesday afternoon in a 21-5 loss at No. 11 Shenandoah.  Eastern Mennonite had worked back to a 5-5 tie in the top of the sixth before the Hornets exploded for 16 runs in their final three innings.

SU touched up starter Casey Harlow (Louisa, VA/Louisa County) for three runs in the second and two more in the third, jumping ahead 5-0.  Justin Rodriguez (Miramar, FL/Pace) started EMU's rally in the fifth with a one-out single.  One run scored on a fielder's choice, and Ryan McAlister (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) and Jonathan Estrada (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) each had RBI singles.

Then in the sixth, Rodriguez brought in one run with a double.  Phillip Jordan (West Point, VA/Christchurch) tied the score at 5-5 with a two-out single, bringing in Rodriguez.

But the Royals defense opened the door in the bottom of the sixth, as they botched a play when the second batter of the inning tried to sacrifice.  EMU didn't retire the runner or the batter and Shenandoah took off.  SU scored 10 runs in the inning, including eight after what would have been the third out.

With the score at 15-5, both coaches went deep into their benches.  The Hornets added another six runs in the eighth to provide the final margin.

Rodriguez led the offense, going 2-3 with two runs and an RBI.  Estrada also had a pair of hits.

Harlow pitched into the sixth inning and was tagged for the loss as he gave up nine runs.

EMU slips to 11-10 overall and 1-3 in the ODAC at the end of the day.  The men stay in conference play this weekend, playing two at Hampden-Sydney on Saturday.  First pitch is at 12:00pm.