HARRISONBURG, Va. – Right on the heels of an impressive ODAC road win at Washington & Lee on Tuesday, the EMU Baseball team sought to keep the positive momentum going in a home game against Mary Baldwin. In front of a great crowd on LovEMU Day, the Royals successfully avenged an earlier loss to the Fighting Squirrels in convincing fashion, winning 12-2 in seven innings.
Records: EMU 10-16 | Mary Baldwin 5-20
WP:
Alec Riles (1-1)
LP: - Roman Borders (0-3)
Save: N/A
Highlights
- The Royals got right to work in the bottom of the first inning, with Nick Arnold and Ethan Sparker both reaching home on a throwing error by Mary Baldwin's third baseman. That sequence gave the Royals an early 2-0 lead.
- It looked as though Mary Baldwin might make a game of it in the top of the third. The Fighting Squirrels tied the game at two on a pair of RBI singles by Michael Robertson and Michael Muller.
- EMU quickly responded in the bottom of the third. Arnold brought Dylan Hall home with an RBI single to centerfield. The Royals then took advantage of another MBU error, opening the door for Gulisano and Arnold to touch home plate. With that, EMU retook the lead 5-2 after three.
- The Royals pulled away from the Fighting Squirrels with a big fourth inning. Daniel McGinnis, Logan Mason, and Hall all drew walks to load up the bases for Gulisano. Then, Gulisano smashed an 0-1 pitch over the left field fence for a grand slam and his first home run of the season. That blew the game wide open, giving the Royals a 9-2 lead.
- EMU tacked on another run in the sixth in unique fashion. Spraker hit the ball to right center, and the ball went past the diving MBU center fielder back to the fence. Spraker turned on the jets to advance all the way home for an inside-the-park home run, his second round-tripper of 2024.
- The Royals put the game in the books with two more runs in the bottom of the seventh, with Gulisano and Spraker touching home plate following an Aidan Miller double. The game ended right then and there on a run rule agreed-upon by both managers before first pitch.
Statistical Leaders
Gulisano: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 runs, 4 RBIs
Spraker: 2-for-5, HR (2), 3 runs, 1 RBI
Miller: 3-for-5, 1 RBI
What's Next
EMU Baseball will travel to the Tar Heel State this Saturday, April 13 for a critical ODAC doubleheader at Guilford. First pitch of game one against the Quakers is scheduled for 12 p.m.
