The EMU Diamond Royals played their first home doubleheader of the 2021 season on Saturday. After falling decisively in the first game of the day, Eastern Mennonite was able to pull out a split, taking game two in offensive fashion.

EMU 3, Ferrum 12

The Panthers struck quickly in the first game of the day, getting to EMU starter Brendon Barrett (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) in the first inning. Barrett found himself in trouble with runners in scoring position with no outs. The lefty got two outs before Rufus Hurdle punched a single up the middle, pushing two across.

The two starters settled in from there, trading scoreless frames until the sixth. Hurdle came through again for the Panthers, knocking another RBI single to right field.

Ferrum pulled ahead in the seventh, pushing across seven runs highlighted by a two-RBI single off the bat of Clayton Michael.

The Royals started to gain some offensive momentum in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three in the frame, but the comeback would be cut short.

Despite pitching well, Barrett was charged with the loss, pitching 6.2 innings with eight strikeouts, a new career-high.

Will Davis earned the win on the mound for the Panthers, throwing 7.0 innings of shutout ball, notching six strikeouts.

EMU 12, Ferrum 6

The nightcap was all EMU, with the Royals putting 12 on the board in the offensive effort.

Starter John Judy (Shanks, W.V./Hampshire) threw a scoreless frame in the top of the first, sending the Royals to the plate ready to play with the lead.

Jordan Jones (Saxe, Va./Randolph Henry) led off the frame with a double, then quickly moved his way over to third. From there, Jaylon Lee (Newport News, Va./Denbigh) hit a deep fly ball to right field, pushing across the first run of the game with the sacrifice fly.

The Panthers answered in the top of the second inning with a sacrifice fly of their own off the bat of Jackson Horton, scoring Matt Yarbrough.

After a scoreless bottom of the second, the Royals took the lead in the third with a sacrifice fly to center from Brett Lindsay (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester). Lee added two more in the bottom of the fourth, knocking a double with the bases loaded.

The Royals added three more in the seventh and five more in the eighth to push the score to 12-1 heading into the top frame of the ninth, looking to finish off the game and leave the day with the split.

The Panthers put pressure on the Royals in the top of the ninth, pushing across five runs before Horton lined out to left to seal the win for EMU.

Judy moved to 1-1 on the season with the win, striking out seven in the contest.

Lindsay collected four RBIs in the second game with Lee trailing just behind with three to his name.

After the split, the Royals find themselves at 2-2 on the season, with their next match up against crosstown rival on Wednesday, Mar. 24 with first pitch at 4:00pm.

Coach Posey on the day: