VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Royals had a tall task in front of them on Saturday, heading to the beach to take on #1 ranked Virginia Wesleyan.
In the opener, the Marlins pushed across 10 runs in the first three innings while holding the Royals scoreless for a 10-0 five-inning win. In game two, it was a four spot in the first, second and fourth innings for VWU, as they picked up a 12-0 win.
EMU vs #1 VWU – Game One
Records: EMU 2-11, 0-3 ODAC | VWU 17-0, 1-0 ODAC
WP: Hannah Hearl (9-0)
LP:
Meaghan Dean (2-7)
Highlights
First Inning
- Destiny Jones worked a two-out walk in the top of the first, but was left at first when Hearl picked up her third strikeout of the frame.
- In the bottom of the first, the Marlins put up a pair of runs, using three hits and an EMU error to take a 2-0 lead, before Dean got a foul out to get out of the frame.
Second Inning
- Hannah Johnston led off the second with a single, and moved to second on a sac bunt from Brooke Morris. After a strikeout, Payton Keesee drew a walk, but runners were left on the base paths after a K to end the second.
- The Marlins broke the game open in bottom of the second, plating four runs on four hits. Jordan Lane then spelled Dean, and got a flyout to end the damage.
Third Inning
- EMU once again got a pair of runners on in the third, as Braxten Jones was hit by a pitch and D. Jones singled up the middle. But once again, Hearl worked out of the jam with a flyout and a strikeout to keep EMU off the board.
- In the bottom of the third, VWU sent nine batters to the plate, putting up another four runs, pushing their lead to 10-0
Fourth and Fifth Innings
- The Royals went down in order in the top of the fourth, but Lane kept the Marlins from adding to their lead, getting a fly out with runners on second and third. Unfortunately, Hearl got the Royals in order again in the fifth to wrap up the win.
Statistical Leaders
D. Jones: 1-1, BB
Johnston: 1-2
Lane: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 4 BB
EMU vs #1 VWU – Game Two
Records: EMU 2-12, 0-4 ODAC | VWU 18-0, 2-0 ODAC
WP: Alison Pollack (1-0)
LP: Haley Lambert (0-1)
Highlights
First and Second Innings
- After EMU went down in order to start the game, the Marlins erupted for four runs on four hits, taking a 4-0 lead after one.
- A 1-2-3 top of the second brought VWU back to the plate, and they tacked on four more runs, with two going to Lambert and two to Lane, who came in with nobody out. Lane was able to limit the damage, picking up a big strikeout with a runner on second to end the inning.
Fourth and Fifth Innings
- D. Jones slashed a two-out single in the fourth for EMU's first hit/baserunner of the game, but a ground out stranded her at first.
- Virginia Wesleyan send eight runners to the plate in the fourth, extended their lead with four more runs on four hits and a Royals error. Johnston led off with a single in the top of the fifth, and Arleigh Mason was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second. But a fielder's choice wrapped up the game as VWU took game two.
Statistical Leaders
D. Jones: 1-2
Johnston: 1-2
Lane: 2.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
What's Next
EMU is right back on the diamond on Sunday, at home, as they take on Pitt-Bradford. First pitch of game one against the Panthers is set for 1:00 pm.
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