MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – The EMU Diamond Royals took their final bus ride of the 2024 campaign, going to Pennsylvania for their second game of the season against Messiah. Unfortunately, just like their earlier home matchup against the Falcons, the Royals were on the wrong end of a one-run final score, losing 4-3.

Records: EMU 10-24 | Messiah 28-8

WP: Noah Barrall (4-1)
LP: - Justus Feeser (0-1)
Save: N/A

Highlights

• It was a pitcher's duel early on as EMU starter Alec Riles traded scoreless frames with Messiah's Brody Martin through the first three innings.
• The Falcons broke the stalemate with two runs in the fourth inning and another in the sixth. Luke Ott accounted for two of the three RBIs for Messiah, including an RBI triple in the sixth.
• Down 3-0 in the seventh, the Royals fought back. While Nick Arnold stole second base, Aidan Miller took the opportunity to steal home plate to put EMU on the scoreboard. Arnold reached home himself on a wild pitch later that inning to draw the Royals within one at 3-2.
• The next inning, EMU knotted the score up at 3-3 when Miller bunted and reached first on a fielder's choice while Drew Petitt successfully slid home.
• The tie was short-lived as Messiah tallied one run in the bottom of the eighth to go up 4-3.
• The Royals attempted a ninth-inning comeback as Colin Troilo drew a walk and Matthew Harding singled down the left field line to put the go-ahead run on first. Sadly, EMU could not push a run across and the host Falcons held on for the win.

Statistical Leaders
Hady Bruno: 2-for-3
Miller: 1 SB, 1 RBI
Riles: 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 Ks

What's Next
EMU Baseball will conclude the 2024 season at home this Saturday, April 27 for an ODAC doubleheader against Averett. It will also be Senior Day for the Diamond Royals, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 12 p.m.