With yet another snowstorm forecasted to roll into the Shenandoah Valley on Sunday, EMU moved up the start time for a softball doubleheader against Mary Baldwin in an effort to play two.  It worked, but just barely.  Eastern Mennonite won both games against the Fighting Squirrels, although the second contest was played with snow falling before being called in the fifth inning.

EMU 8, Mary Baldwin 0 – 5 innings
The Royals jumped in front quickly in the first game, as the first four batters reached base and pushed open a 2-0 edge.  In the third inning, the women batted around and plated four more runs, highlighted by a two-run single from Mariah Foltz (Broadway, Va./Broadway).

EMU rallied again the fifth, plating two runs to end the game with the mercy rule.  Foltz smacked an RBI double with two outs to end the game.

Foltz finished 2-3 from the plate with three RBIs.  Casey Racer (Madison, Va./Madison County) was also 2-3, scoring two times and driving in another.  Brooke Hensley (Elkton, Va./Spotswood) and Brooke Sigrist (Elkton, Va./Spotswood) each scored twice from the top of the order, and Jordan Aylor (Madison, Va./Madison County) added a pair of RBIs.

Cara Neikirk (Salem, Va./Glenvar) allowed just two hits with four strikeouts to earn the shutout win, improving to 3-1.

EMU 6, Mary Baldwin 4 – 5 innings
After a short break between games, the two teams locked up for a scoreless start to game two.  The Royals left five runners on base over the first two innings, but it wasn't until light snow started to fall that the offenses finally dented home.

As pitchers and players alike struggled to grip the ball in the cold, snowy weather, EMU took a 1-0 lead in the third thanks to a two-out wild pitch.  Finally a two-out rally in the fourth broke the game open.  The Royals combined three hits with three walks and two MBC errors to plate five runs for a 6-0 edge.  Racer and Foltz each had two-run hits.

The weather conditions continued to deteriorate and the umpires gave the Fighting Squirrels one last at-bat in the top of the fifth.  The visitors responded.  Four hits and a walk not only ended the no-hitter and shutout, but also chased Aylor from the circle after three runs had scored.  A chilly Neikirk returned to pitch and allowed an RBI single before finally getting a strikeout and groundout to end the rally and the game.

Eastern Mennonite had eight hits and five walks in the nightcap, but the women were aided by five Mary Baldwin errors.  All six runs the Royals scored were unearned.  Racer and Foltz each finished 1-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in the key fourth inning.   Molly Smith (Elkton, Va./Spotswood) , Angelia Miller (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby), Aislinn Lucas (Grottoes, Va./Fort Defiance), Jerrica McCallister (Timberville, Va./Broadway) and Sigrist each reached base twice.

Aylor picked up the win to improve to 2-4 despite being charged with all four runs.  Neikirk got her first save by getting the final three outs.

The Royals improve to 5-7 with the sweep.  They are still looking for their first ODAC games after having a twinbill with Shenandoah postponed last week.  EMU is slated to host rival Bridgewater on Wednesday, although the forecasted snow Sunday night and Monday might put that date in jeopardy.