HARRISONBURG, Va. – After getting pushed back a couple of time, EMU softball finally kicked off the 2025 season on Tuesday, with a doubleheader against Messiah.

In the opener, Messiah used eight runs in the third and fourth to pick up a 13-5 win over the Royals before the Royals rebounded in game two, behind a gem from first-year Haley Lambert, to lead EMU to a 7-2 win. 

EMU vs Messiah – Game One

Records: EMU 0-1, 0-0 ODAC | Messiah 3-0, 0-0 MAC Commonwealth

WP: Fallon Feaser (2-0)
LP: Natalye Graham (0-1)

Highlights
First Inning

• Messiah struck first in the first, after a lead off bunt single and a stolen base, Fallon Feaser singled, sending the runner to third, who then stole home for a 1-0 lead. But Graham got the final out on a strikeout, to keep the damage to just one run.
• EMU pulled ahead with two of their own in the bottom of the first. Grace Fravel singled to left field and moved to second when Allana Overby reached on a fielder's choice bunt. Meaghan Dean drove them both in with a two RBI double, putting the Royals ahead 2-1.
• Destiny Jones followed that up with a single moving Dean to third, but two ground outs ended the threat.

Second Inning

• After Graham sat the Falcons down in order, EMU tacked on another run, as Maggie Mayhew tripled and came in to score on Brooke Morris' RBI ground out.

Third and Fourth Innings

• Messiah was able to push across eight runs in the third and fourth: three in the third and five in the fourth, chasing Graham for Madee Arbaugh. EMU managed just a pair of hits to keep Messiah in front, 8-3, after four.

Sixth Inning

• Neither team added anything in the fifth, but Messiah extended its lead with three more in the sixth off Arbaugh, taking a 12-3 lead.
• Mayhew singled with one out in the sixth, and moved to second on a wild pitch. Morris followed that up with a single, moving Mayhew to third and she scored on Fravel's RBI single. A wild pitch put runners on second and third, and Morris came in to score on a base hit by Overby. Overby got to second on a wild pitch, but was left there as a strikeout and a fly out ended the inning.

Seventh Inning

• A Messiah home run pushed their lead back to eight, 13-5. Braxten Jones reached base on an error, but was left at first as a strikeout and a pop out ended the game.

Statistical Leaders
Dean: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
D. Jones: 2-3, 2B,
Fravel: 2-4, RBI, R

EMU vs Messiah – Game Two

Records: EMU 1-1, 0-0 ODAC | Messiah 3-1, 0-0 MAC Commonwealth

WP: Lambert (1-0)
LP: Kelli Durbin (0-1)

Highlights

First and Second Innings

• Lambert hit the first batter she faced, who later came around to score after two stolen bases and an RBI single, giving Messiah a 1-0 lead. 
• The Royals got that run right back in the second, when B. Jones and Arbaugh had back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and third. B. Jones came in to score on Mayhew's infield single, tying the game at one apiece. 

Third Inning

• EMU broke the game open in the third, as they erupted for six runs on four hits. Fravel, Dean and D. Jones all singled, loading the bases. Fravel was thrown out at home after a ground ball fielder's choice, giving Messiah two outs but keeping the bases loaded.
• The Falcons pitcher then walked B. Jones and Arbaugh, and hit Mayhew, plating three runs for a 4-1 lead. Morris followed that up with a two-RBI single to right, to put EMU ahead 6-1. 

Fourth and Fifth Innings

• Messiah got one of those runs back with a lead off home run in the fourth, but Lambert settled down and allowed just one more hit over the next two innings.
• EMU plated their final run in the fifth, with Arbaugh drawing a two-out walk and Mayhew driving her in with an RBI double. 

Sixth and Seventh Innings

• Nothing happened offensively for the Royals, but Lambert continued to spin it in the circle, allowing just one baserunner over the final two innings, to secure her first collegiate win. 

Statistical Leaders
Mayhew: 2-2, 2B, 3 RBI
Lambert: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 K
Morris: 1-3, 2 RBI

What's Next
EMU will be back on the diamond on Saturday, when they welcome in the Green Terror of McDaniel College for a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 1 pm. 

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