HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Diamond Royals hosted #4 University of Lynchburg in ODAC action on Saturday.

Despite coming up on the losing end in both contests, EMU showed strength at the plate and held on late in the second game, proving they can match up with anyone. 

Game One Highlights

• After falling into a deep hole in the top frame of the first, the Royals showed power early. After a Jordan Jones walk, Jaylon Lee knocked his fourth homer of the season to give EMU early life. 
• In the third, EMU struck again. After back-to-back singles from Natty Solomon and Gage Riddick, Ethan Spraker came to the plate with two away. Pulling a center-cut fastball, Spraker knocked a high drive over the left field wall, good for his first home run of the season and three RBI. 
• In the bottom of the fifth, the Royals continued to show their power at the plate, knocking their third homer of the game off the bat of Solomon, all towering over the left field fence. 
• In the bottom of the eighth, Jones knocked a hard double into the gap, good for two RBI. That would be the end of the scoring for the Royals, as they ultimately fell in the first game of the day, but showed that they would never fall without some fight. 

Game Two Highlights

• After starter Jon Sawyers threw a zero in the top of the first, the Royals struck first. After a Jones single and subsequent steal of second, Lee knocked a hard single to left and with a bobble by the left fielder, Jones scored with ease to give the Royals the early lead. 
• Spraker led off the bottom of the second with a hard double, making his way around to third and scoring on a wild pitch. Lee would go on to double, with Brett Lindsay doubling thereafter to score Lee and give the Royals a 3-0 lead after two. 
• Lynchburg put two on the board in the top of the third, but EMU answered with two of their own in the bottom of the fourth with pressure on the Hornets' defense. 

Standouts

• Jones - 3-8 with two RBI and a stolen bag. 
• Lee - 4-8 with a home run and double, two RBI.
• Solomon - 3-9 with a home run.
• Riddick - 5-9 with two runs.
• Spraker - 4-9 with a home run and double, three RBI.
• Alec Riles - 4.1 strong innings with five strikeouts.
• Karson Jennings - 2.2 innings with a strikeout.
• Hunter West - 3.0 innings with four strikeouts.

What's Next

The Diamond Royals are on the road on Tuesday, Mar. 29, traveling to Washington and Lee for a midweek ODAC matchup with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 PM.

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