MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Coming into the 2022 season, EMU softball coach JD McCurdy knew his offense could be dangerous. 

That was on full display on Monday as the Royals picked up a pair of wins, both by the eight-run mercy rule. The Royals downed DeSales, 18-8, before shutting out Cairn 11-0. EMU now sits at 6-0, 0-0 ODAC. 

Highlights vs DeSales

• EMU got things started in the first, picking up a 1-0 lead on a Grace Fravel single that scored Sierra Lantz. The Royals would strand two in the inning and turn the ball over to Fravel, who got the start in the circle. Fravel gave up a leadoff triple, who then came around to score on a sac fly to tie things at one. The next batter doubled then advanced on a wild pitch before scoring on an error, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. 
• That lead would be short lived as EMU loaded the bases in the second with a single, a walk and a single. Kendall Stettler then triple down the left field line plating all three runs before scoring herself, two batters later, on a Kaitlyn Fletcher infield single. 
• The Royals would bust the game open in the third, with Emily Campbell leading off with a triple and scoring on Natalye Graham's single up the middle, making the score 6-2. After Erin Keith singled and advanced to second on a stole base, Becca Boone drove in a run followed by a Bri Allen double, plating two. Fletcher and Keith would pick up two more RBI, and Fravel one, giving EMU a nine spot and a 14-2 lead. DeSales would extend the game just a bit, picking up two runs in their half of the third and chasing Fravel for Fletcher. 
• Fletcher picked up two more RBI in the fourth and one more in the fifth, giving EMU an 18-4 lead going into the final half inning. The Bulldogs were able to flash some offense, putting up four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but a strikeout looking ended the game, securing the Royals win. 
• Fletcher finished the day 4-5 with six RBI to lead the offense. Allen, Stettler, Fravel, Graham and Keith all had multiple hits. Stettler also drove in three runs and Allen, Fravel and Keith drove in two apiece. Along with her monster day at the plate, Fletcher also got the win in the circle, giving up just one earned run and four hits in three innings while striking out five. 

Highlights vs Cairn

• The Royals picked right back up in game two with their offense, not that it was needed as starter N. Graham was dominant in the circle. 
• Allen continued her hot streak, tripling to lead off the bottom of the first for EMU and later scoring on a basehit from Lantz, giving EMU a 1-0 lead after one. 
• Graham helped her cause in the second, singling to left field and coming around to score on a Boone double. EMU would add four more in the third, with Fravel driving in a pair of runs and Keith picking up another RBI. 
• EMU would put the game out of reach in the fourth, plating five more with Fravel, Campbell, Keith and Boone all driving in runs. That was more than enough help for Graham who allowed just two hits over five innings, shutting out the Highlanders and striking out eight of the 19 batters she faced. 
• Every Royal batter had at least one hit in the game with Fravel, Keith and Boone leading the charge with two each. Those three also had multiple RBI, with Fravel picking up three. EMU also finished with five extra base hits, two doubles and three triples. 

By the Numbers

5 - EMU has 75 hits through its first 6 games. That's the most hits for the Royals since they put together 80 hits in a six-game span during the 2017 season. 
45 - The Royals are currently hitting .463 as team, which leads the ODAC. Their team average is 45 points higher than the next closest team, Roanoke, which is batting .418. 
4, 29, 10 - EMU has picked up four of its six wins in the circle from first-years Fletcher, McDonaldson, Fravel and Graham. The four of them have combined for 29 strikeouts and just 10 earned runs. 

What's Next

EMU will have an off day tomorrow before picking back up a pair of games on Wednesday in Myrtle Beach. They'll take on Lebanon Valley at 3:30 before finishing the day with La Roche at 5:30. 

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