HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Diamond Royals closed out their opening weekend on Sunday, hosting DeSales in a non-conference matchup.

Despite another ninth-inning comeback, one where they tied the game to send it into extra innings, EMU ultimately fell in the tenth by a score of 7-3. 

Highlights

• After falling behind 3-0 after two and a half innings of play, the Royals finally got on the board in the bottom frame of the third. With one away, sophomore Ethan Spraker lined a double, then after a single from Nick Arnold that was flagged down deep by the Bulldog's second baseman, Spraker forced his hand, causing an error at the plate and coming across for EMU's first run of the day. Jaylon Lee beat out a dribbler down the third base line, advancing Arnold to third, Brett Lindsay smacked a sharp single to push across the second and final run of the frame. The Royals had clawed back to put themselves within one. 
• Gage Riddick got the ball to start in the game, pitching 4.0 strong innings, allowing three earned runs with two strikeouts. Junior Karson Jennings took over the hill in the top of the fifth and tossed two scoreless, striking out one. 
• EMU was able to tie up the game in the bottom of the ninth, showing fortitude late in the game for the second straight contest. Arnold singled to start the push by the Royals, followed by a hit by pitch awarding the base to Lee and a tough walk from Lindsay. Junior Logan Jones, in his first at-bat of the season, showed a strong eye at the plate and drew the walk to score Arnold from third, putting the score at 3-3. A sharp grounder from Ray Tricarico ended the frame and sent the game into extra innings. 
• DeSales were able to push across four in the top half of the tenth inning, with the Royals unable to muster a second comeback, falling by the game's final tally of 7-3.

By The Numbers

• 2 - Arnold put together a solid day at the plate for the Royals in his first start of the season, going 2-4 and coming across the plate for two runs.

What's Next

The Royals are currently scheduled at home again on Tuesday, Feb. 22, taking on Mary Baldwin with a 3 PM first pitch. 

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.