HARRISONBURG, Va. – On a cold and damp Thursday afternoon, the EMU Baseball team entertained Messiah University for a midweek nonconference game at Royals Field. The visiting Falcons looked every bit the part of a team ranked 15th in the D3Baseball.com national poll, handing the Royals a 17-1 loss in a game shortened to five innings due to darkness.  

Records: EMU 3-5 | #15 Messiah 1-3

WP: Devin Aponte (1-0)
LP: Max Fritts (0-1)

Highlights

• Following a scoreless opening inning, Messiah made their presence felt in the top of the second inning. Brayden Burkholder hit a solo home run to the deepest part of the ballpark to set the tone for a four-run second inning for the Falcons. Messiah duplicated that effort in the third with four more runs to go up 8-0.
• The Royals avoided the shutout with a run in the bottom of the third. Dalton smacked an RBI single to bring in Hadikell Bruno and make it an 8-1 ball game.
• However, Messiah extended their lead further with five runs in the fourth inning and four runs in the fifth inning. After the fifth inning, darkness crept in on Royals Field to end the game.

Statistical Leaders
Cabanban: 2-for-2
Rocke: 1-for-2, RBI

What's Next
The Diamond Royals will not have long to dwell on their defeat. They will be right back at Royals Field this Saturday, Feb. 28 for a doubleheader against Penn State Altoona. First pitch of game one is set for 11 a.m.