HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Diamond Royals played host to Hampden-Sydney College on Saturday for an ODAC doubleheader, with a celebration for this year's senior class prior to first pitch.

EMU would ultimately fall in both contests on the day, despite strong showings on the mound and at the plate across the board. 

Game One Highlights

• The Royals cracked the scoreboard first, pushing across two in the bottom of the third. With one away, Ethan Spraker doubled to the right-center gap, followed up by a Logan Mason single, pushing Spraker to third. With two in scoring position, Jordan Jones knocked a single through the right side, scoring Spraker with ease and pushing Mason to third. Jaylon Lee followed it up with a deep fly to center field, easily scoring Mason and notching the sacrifice.
• After 5.0 strong innings from starter Hunter West, head coach Adam Posey went to Brendan Barrett out of the bullpen. Hampden-Sydney loaded the bases, but Barrett got the groundball he needed, initiating an easy 4-6-3 double play to end the inning unscathed.
• The Tigers tied up the score in the top of the eighth inning, but Lee provided the big fly needed. With one down, the center fielder blasted the ball over the left field wall to send the crowd into a frenzy and give the Royals the late lead.
• Falling behind 6-3 after a four-run top of the ninth for the Tigers, the Royals needed to mount an impressive comeback in the bottom frame. Colin Troilo, in a pinch hitting spot, forced an error by Hampden-Sydney, finding his way to second via a wild pitch. Mason knocked a double down the left field line to push across Troilo to cut into the deficit. After a Jones walk, Brett Lindsay knocked a single to score Mason, but Jones was gunned at second to end the game with EMU on the losing end at 6-5.

Game Two Highlights

• EMU struck first again in the second game of the day. Lee, Lindsay, and Tricarico each knocked one-out single to load the bases in the first inning, with Solomon grounding out to shortstop and scoring Lee for the game's first run. 
• The Royals put another on the board in the bottom of the second after a clutch two-out double from Jones to score Spraker, who doubled earlier in the frame. 
• Solomon knocked another RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to give the Royals a late, 3-2 lead. Tricarico came across in the frame after singling and stealing a bag to get into scoring position for Solomon. 

Standouts

• Lee - 3-8 with a home run and a double, collecting two RBI. 
• Tricarico - 4-7 on the day.
• Spraker - 5-9 with two doubles. 
• Jon Sawyers - 6.0 innings pitched with eight strikeouts, allowing just two earned runs.
• West - 5.0 scoreless innings in game one with four strikeouts. 

What's Next

EMU travels to Christopher Newport tomorrow, Apr. 3 for a non-conference matchup. First pitch is currently slated for 1:00 PM.

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