GROTTOES, Va. – Following a successful home opener on Tuesday, it was right back to work for EMU Baseball on Wednesday, traveling to John E. Painter Park in Grottoes to match up with Mary Baldwin. The Royals brought their "A" game with a dominant display in all facets of the game, defeating the Flying Squirrels 22-2 in seven innings.
 
The 22 runs scored is the most in a single game for EMU since they also put up 22 in the first game of a doubleheader at Guilford back on April 9, 2022. Wednesday's game marked the fifth 20+ run game for the Royals under head coach Adam Posey.
 
Not to be outdone, the Royals pitching staff collaborated to limit Mary Baldwin to just three hits on the afternoon, led by Maxim Fritts, who allowed just two runs in four innings of work in his collegiate debut on the mound.

Records: EMU 2-1 | Mary Baldwin 0-3

WP: Fritts (1-0)
LP: Nolan Alford (0-1)

Highlights

• EMU did not hesitate to set the tone for the game, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. After reaching base on a single, Aidan Miller plated the opening run on a bases loaded walk drawn by Erik Wilkinson. One batter later, Dylan Hall got hit by a pitch, bringing home Nick Arnold.
• The Royals broke the game wide open with five runs in the top of the second. After Jason Dwyer scored the first run of the frame, Arnold blasted a three-run home run to send himself, Miller and Noah Sanderson home. Two batters later, Wilkinson added a solo round-tripper of his own. The Fighting Squirrels got one run back in the bottom of the inning, but it was the Royals out front 7-1 after two innings.
• EMU had their biggest offensive explosion yet in the top of the third, adding six runs to their tally. It all started with a two-RBI double courtesy of Miller. Chris Polymeropoulos then reached home on a wild pitch to make it 10-2 Royals. Miller reached home himself while Arnold stole second base. Daniel McGinnis sent Arnold home with an RBI double, and he later scored as well after Josh Gjormand drew a bases-loaded walk. Dwyer completed the inning with a sacrifice fly to send in Wilkinson. After that, the Royals enjoyed a comfortable 13-1 lead.
• After Mary Baldwin tallied a solo home run in the fourth, EMU resumed their offensive display in the fifth, scoring six runs once again. With the bases loaded, Miller benefited from a Mary Baldwin error to reach base, allowing Josh Gjormand to touch home plate. Arnold then cleared the bases with a three-RBI double. One batter later, McGinnis sent a ball over the fence for a two-run homer, pushing the Royals' already sizable lead to 19-2.
• The Royals put the cherry on top with three more runs in the sixth, mostly with pinch hitters and runners. Hady Bruno led things off with a triple and then reached home on another Fighting Squirrels error. Miller added to his already stout statline with a sacrifice fly, bringing home Trevor Gjormand. Colby Massengill then smacked an RBI single to bring home Drew Pettit for the final run of the game.

 
Statistical Leaders
Arnold: 2-for-2, HR (1), 4 runs, 6 RBIs
Miller: 4-for-5,  4 runs, 3 RBIs
McGinnis: 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 runs, 3 RBIs
Wilkinson: 1-for-2, HR (1), 2 runs, 2 RBIs

What's Next
EMU Baseball's busy week continues when they host Penn St. Behrend for a doubleheader at Royals Field on the campus of EMU this Saturday, March 1. First pitch of game one against the Lions is scheduled for 11 a.m.