HARRISONBURG, Va. - The EMU Diamond Royals finally made their way onto the field for the first time in the 2022 season after postponements pushed back the start. 

After a crisp, quick ballgame, the Royals found themselves in position for a walk off, but fell just short in the contest by a final score of 3-2.

Highlights

• To kick off the beginning of the season, Brendon Barrett manuevered around some trouble in the top of the frame, stranding a pair of runners after initiating a clean double play to end the inning. In the bottom of the frame, the Royals threatened themselves after a Jordan Jones season at the start. Two hard lineouts from Gage Riddick and Natty Solomon ended the inning with the Royals unable to push anything across. 
• The Cougars were able to put together a solid inning of offense in the second inning, pushing across three runs with two outs still to play with. Barrett settled down and was able to strand the runner at second and minimize the damage. 
• Jones tripled in the bottom of the third to continue his impressive day, but the Royals were unable to push him across after some hard contact found gloves. Barrett settled down and tossed three innings of scoreless baseball to complete his night. 
• EMU consistently threatened throughout, but were kept at bay by Averett pitching. In the bottom of the ninth, they showed life and threatened to tie the game or even walk it off. After an Ethan Spraker single to start the frame, Jones walked to put runners on first and second with just one away, pushing the Averett starter off the mound. Jaylon Lee singled up the middle to cut into the Cougar's lead, 3-1. With a single from Brett Lindsay, the Royals had the bases juiced with only one out. Riddick hit a sharp grounder up the middle that was cut off by Averett's second basemen, but he was able to beat out the throw to first, keeping the inning alive and just down by one. That was all the Royals could muster though, as they fell by the game's final score of 3-2.

By The Numbers

• 2-3 - Jones started off the season on a high note from the leadoff spot, knocking two hits with a triple in the third. 
• 4.0 - Adrian Abad, in his first appearance of his sophomore season, notched four solid innings, only allowing two hits and striking out six. 

What's Next

The Royals will not need to even wait a day to hit the diamond again. With a scheduled 10 PM first pitch tomorrow, Feb. 20, EMU will take on DeSales in a non-conference matchup. 

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the baseball program this year follow EMU on Twitter and Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.