LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Royals got back into ODAC play on Saturday, heading to the Hill City to take on the University of Lynchburg in a doubleheader.
EMU dropped a heartbreaker in game one, as the Hornets scored on a walk off single in the bottom of the eighth, to take a 4-3 win. In game two, Lynchburg's bats came to life, as they picked up an 8-0, five-inning win.
EMU vs Lynchburg - Game One
Records: EMU 8-10-1, 1-2 ODAC | Lynchburg 10-7, 1-2 ODAC
WP: Kailey Dorcis (6-3)
LP: Natalye Graham (4-6)
Highlights
First Inning
- Grace Fravel did Grace Fravel things, leading off the top of the first with a solo home run to right, giving EMU a 1-0 lead.
- The Hornets struck back in their half of the first, with a solo shot to left, tying things at one.
Second Inning
Fifth Inning
- The Hornets had a runner in scoring position in each of the second, third and fourth innings, but Graham was able to get out of the jams without allowing any runs. Her luck ran out in the fifth, as a single, a sac bunt, a walk and a two-RBI double tied the game at three. But she stranded the go-ahead run at second with a big strike out to end the fifth.
Eighth Inning
- Neither team was able to add to their run totals in the sixth or seventh. In the eighth, with a runner place on second to start the inning, EMU was able to get Madee Arbaugh to third, but a pop out and a strike out kept her there, bringing Lynchburg to the plate.
- The Hornets put their runner on second, moved her over to third on a sacrifice and plated her with an RBI walk off single to left field for the game winner.
Statistical Leaders
Fravel: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
Overby: 1-4, RBI
Graham: 7.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 K
EMU vs Lynchburg - Game Two
Records: EMU 8-11-1, 1-3 ODAC | Lynchburg 11-7, 2-2 ODAC
WP: Emily Charlton (4-3)
LP: Haley Lambert (3-3)
Highlights
First and Second Innings
- After the Royals went down in order in the first, the Hornets plated a run in their half of the first after a pair of walks, a sac bunt and a sacrifice fly, for a 1-0 lead.
- Lynchburg broke the game open in the second, picking up five runs on five hits, and a Royals error, before a line out to shortstop left the bases loaded, with Lynchburg leading 6-0.
Third Inning
- Fravel picked up EMU's first hit of the game in the third, a single to left field. But she was left at first after a fly out.
- In the bottom of the third, Lynchburg tacked on two more runs with a single, a double and a single, all with two outs, off new pitcher Janie Young, who relieved Lambert in the second. Young got a pop out to end the scoring for the Hornets.
Fourth and Fifth Innings
- Meaghan Dean led off the fourth with a double but pinch runner B. Jones was thrown out at third after Destiny Jones reached on a fielder's choice. Orndorff picked up a single, but a fly out ended the fourth for the Royals.
- EMU went down in order in the top of the fifth, with a strike out ending the game due to the eight-run after five rule.
Statistical Leaders
Fravel, Dean, Orndorff - One hit apiece
Young: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 K
What's Next
EMU will have to shake this one off quickly, as they're back on the diamond on Sunday at Ferrum College. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 pm.
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