LYNCHBURG, Va. – The EMU baseball team headed to Lynchburg on Sunday, for a doubleheader against the #11 ranked Hornets.

The Royals battled in game one, but ultimately ended up dropping a 5-3 game. Game two

EMU vs Lynchburg – Game One

Records: EMU 5-19, 1-9 ODAC | Lynchburg 19-3, 8-1 ODAC

WP: Zach Potts (7-0)
LP: Hunter West (1-5)
Sv: Jack Bachmore (5)

Highlights

• The Royals got some offense going in the first inning when Logan Mason singled and advanced to second on Nick Arnold's base hit up the middle. But a double play erased the threat, keeping EMU scoreless. In the bottom of the first, Lynchburg took a 3-0 lead, scoring on a wild pitch and a triple that drove in two runs with runners on first and second. The Hornets added to their lead on an RBI single in the second, giving them a 4-0 lead.
• West did a good job keeping the Lynchburg offense off balance and off the board so the Royals offense would have a chance. In the fifth, Alex Gulisano reached on an error and advanced to second and Aidan Miller followed that up with an infield single, putting runners on first and second. Mason singled up the middle, plating Gulisano and Ethan Spraker followed that up with a base hit, loading the bases. After a strikeout, Natty Solomon delivered a big two-out single, driving in a pair of runs and cutting the Royals deficit to one, 4-3.
• An unearned run on an error extended the Hornets lead to 5-3 in the sixth but West was able to get out of the jam and keep EMU within two. Cooper Thomas came in to pitch in the seventh and held the Lynchburg bats in check, allowing no runs on just three hits over the final three innings. The Royals were able to put runners on in the eighth and ninth, but couldn't push anyone across as they dropped game one.

Statistical Leaders

Mason: 3-5, RBI

Solomon: 1-4, 2 RBI

Arnold:  3-4, 2B

EMU at Lynchburg – Game Two

Records: EMU 5-20, 1-10 ODAC | Lynchburg 20-3, 9-1 ODAC

WP: Wesley Arrington (3-0)
LP: Keenan Fulwood (1-2)

Highlights

• The Hornets were able to load the bases in the first inning on Fulwood, but he picked up two big strikeouts to work out of the jam and keep the game scoreless. Unfortunately, Lynchburg was able to put three on the board in the second on a pair of RBI singles and a sac fly, to take a 3-0 lead.
• The Royals got their first baserunner in the third when Dylan Hall was hit by a pitch. Nothing came of it as the next batter grounded out. The Hornets added three more in their half of the third, chasing Fulwood for Brendon Barrett. A grand slam in the bottom of the fourth gave Lynchburg a 10-0 lead.
• EMU's run, and first hit, came in the top of the sixth. After Miller walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch, Arnold's RBI triple gave EMU their first run.
• Trailing 13-1, EMU was able to load the bases in the top of the ninth after Hunter Sturgeon walked, Hady Bruno singled and Logan Jones walked. But a strikeout ended the game, giving Lynchburg the win.

Statistical Leaders

Arnold: 1-2, 3B, RBI

Bruno: 1-1

What's Next

EMU will return home for a midweek matchup against nationally-ranked Christopher Newport. That game will take place on Tuesday with first pitch coming at 3 pm.

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