FERRUM, Va. – The Royals wrapped up their weekend roadtrip on Sunday, with a pair of games against Ferrum College.
In game one, it was a pitcher's duel, as the Panthers narrowly beat EMU 3-1. In game two
EMU at Ferrum – Game One
Records: EMU 8-12-1, 1-4 ODAC | Ferrum 7-14, 3-4 ODAC
WP: Emily Wood (5-5)
LP: Natalye Graham (4-7)
Highlights
First Inning
- The Royals went down in order in the top of the first, bringing Ferrum to the plate. The leadoff Panther tripled, and then came in to score on a single by the number two batter. A sac bunt, a double and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, but Graham settled down and got a pop up and a strikeout to end the threat.
Fifth Inning
- Neither team was able to change the score in the middle innings, but EMU struck for one in the top of the fifth. Braxten Jones led off with a single, moved to second on a sac bunt from Maggie Mayhew and got to third on a single from Brooke Morris. Grace Fravel then drove in B. Jones with an RBI base hit to right field, tying the game at one.
- Unfortunately for EMU, Ferrum re-took the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth on a single, a two-base error and another single, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
- Graham sat the next two batters down with strike outs, hitting a career milestone with her 300th career strike out.
Sixth and Seventh Innings
- The Panthers added one more run in the bottom of the sixth, on a sole home run to left center.
- EMU was able to get a runner in scoring position in the top of the seventh, but a strike out ended the game, with Ferrum on top.
Statistical Leaders
Graham: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 5 K (301 career strike outs)
Fravel: 1-4, RBI
EMU at Ferrum – Game Two
Records: EMU 8-13-1, 1-5 ODAC | Ferrum 8-14, 4-4 ODAC
WP: Wynema Thomas (1-1)
LP: Fravel (0-1)
Highlights
First Inning
- After a 1-2-3 inning for Ferrum in the top of the first, the Panthers came to bat in their half of the first. Back-to-back singles, a double and a wild pitch plated two and put a runner on third with Ferrum leading 2-0. A walk and an infield single was followed by a single through the left side, plating a run and putting the Panthers ahead 3-0.
- Haley Lambert spelled Fravel in the circle and gave up a walk, scoring another run. But then she got a pop out and back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame and leave the bases loaded.
Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Innings
- Both pitchers continued to be strong in the circle over the next four innings. But FC was able to tack on three more in the bottom of the fifth, using a single, a fielder's choice, a double and another single, to take a 7-0 lead.
- EMU got on the board in the top of the sixth, when Fravel, Allana Overby and Meaghan Dean all singled, loading the bases. Madee Arbaugh drew a one-out walk to score Fravel before Ferrum made a call to the bullpen. The Panthers reliever came in and got out of the jam with a pop out and a strike out to limit the damage.
- Lambert sat the Panthers down in order in the sixth, bringing EMU to bat in the seventh. Morris and Fravel both singled, and Overby loaded the bases when she reached after an error by the Ferrum third baseman. But just like in the sixth, the next two batters popped out and struck out, wrapping up the sweep for FC.
Statistical Leaders
Fravel, Dean: 2-4 each
Lambert: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 K
What's Next
EMU will be back at home on Wednesday, when they welcome in cross-town rival, Bridgewater, to Gehman Field for a midweek doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 3 pm.
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