HARRISONBURG, Va. – On the heels of two home wins this past Saturday, the EMU softball team sought another doubleheader sweep at Gehman Field when they hosted Shenandoah on Tuesday. However, the Hornets turned the tables on the Royals, handing EMU two losses by scores of 7-5 and 12-9.

Game One: Shenandoah 7, EMU 5

Records: EMU 9-15, 5-8 ODAC | Shenandoah 12-18, 3-12 ODAC

WP: Abigail Campbell
LP: Makayla Cyzick (7-10)
Save: Meghan Gaskins (2)

Highlights

• After trading scoreless frames in the first two innings, both offenses erupted in the third inning. After Shenandoah pushed home four runs, three of them on an EMU error, the Royals roared back with five runs in the bottom half. Taylor Umberger and Samantha Hensley singled and Brooke Morris walked to load the bases for Cyzick, who reached first on a Shenandoah fielding error while Umberger and Hensley scored.
• The next batter was Grace Fravel who boomed a three-run home run to right center field, putting EMU out front 5-4 through three innings.
• Sadly, the home team's lead was short-lived as the Hornets countered with three runs in the top of the fourth. Rachel Blumensch hit an RBI double to left center, followed by an RBI single from Allison McQueeney, who scored herself on another EMU error.
• The Royals tried but could not muster a comeback in the later innings.

Statistical Leaders

Hensley: 3-for-4, 1 run
 
Fravel: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBIs

Cyzick: 7.0 IP, 9 Ks

Game Two: Shenandoah 12, EMU 9

Records: EMU 9-16, 5-11 ODAC | Shenandoah 13-18, 4-12 ODAC

WP:  Gaskins (1-1)
LP: Cyzick (7-11)

Highlights

• The Hornets stung first in game two with a solo home run by Sarah Medellin in the top of the second.
• EMU answered with a scoring barrage in the bottom of the third, getting seven runs across home plate. The rally started with a single to right field by Cyzick, bringing in Morris. Braxten Jones singled through the left side to get Fravel home, followed by Natalye Graham reaching first safely on a bunt, with Destiny Jones sliding home safely on the play.
• The Royals' big fourth inning continued with an Emerson Adkins double down the left field line to score two more runs. Carsen Brake then slapped a base hit down that same left field line to bring in both Adkins and Graham. That brought the score to EMU 7, Shenandoah 1 through three innings.
• But much like game one, Shenandoah had an answer, scoring five unanswered runs through the fourth and fifth to draw within one at 7-6.
• EMU opened their lead back up to three when Morris tripled to right center in the fifth inning, allowing Adkins and Hensley to touch home plate. The Royals now led 9-6 through five innings.
• The game got away from the Royals in the sixth when Shenandoah scored six runs in the top half, and EMU failed to answer in the bottom half. There would be no seventh inning as the game got called due to darkness descending on the EMU campus.

Statistical Leaders

Morris: 2-for-4, 1 3B, 2 RBIs

Adkins: 1-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs

Graham: 5.0 IP, 5 Ks

What's Next
EMU will have their Senior Day this Saturday, April 20 when they play host to ODAC foe Randolph-Macon. First pitch at Gehman Field is set for 1 p.m., with a ceremony honoring the seniors before game one.  

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