RALEIGH, NC - EMU continued their time in North Carolina on Saturday, with another pair of games at the Triangle Softball Classic. 

To open the day, EMU fell to Muhlenberg, 8-0, in six innings. But in the final game of the day, a strong pitching performance from Meaghan Dean, along with a three-RBI game from Hannah Johnston, propelled EMU to a 3-2 win over Marymount. 

EMU vs Muhlenberg 

Records: EMU 0-5, 0-0 ODAC | Muhlenberg 3-0, 0-0 Centennial

WP: Morgan Bobrowski (2-0)
LP: Dean (0-3)

Highlights

Second Inning

• Neither team got on the board in the first, as EMU was able to get a baserunner: a walk from Destiny Jones. But she was stranded at first after a fly out. 
• After EMU went down in order in the second, the Mules were able to plate one after a double and two fly outs. But Dean settled down and after putting a runner on third, got a fielder's choice to end the inning. 

Third Inning

• Brooke Morris singled with one out in the top of the third, but was left on the base paths after a ground out and a strikeout. 
• Muhlenberg struck for one more in the bottom of the third, with a two-out single, a stolen base and an RBI single to center. 

Fifth and Sixth Innings

• In the top of the fifth, Olivia Martin drew a two-out walk and Aspen Jones singled, but a ground out kept EMU off the board, bringing the Mules to the plate.
• MC broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, using four hits and three stolen bases to plate four runs for a 6-0 lead. 
• Maggie Mayhew singled and an error on a hit by D. Jones put runners at first and second in the top of the sixth. Dean grounded out, pushing the runners to second and third before Hannah Johnston reached on a fielder's choice, loading the bases. A strikeout and another fielder's choice ended EMU's threat and keeping the Royals scoreless. 
• In the bottom of the sixth, Muhlenberg added two more runs on three hits, using a two-RBI single to walk off with the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Morris: 2-2
Dean: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER

EMU vs Marymount

Records: EMU 1-5, 0-0 ODAC | Marymount 3-5, 0-0 Atlantic East

WP: Dean (1-3)
LP: Emma McCormack (0-1)

Highlights

First Inning

• A walk, two stolen bases and a sac fly gave the Saints an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. 
• EMU responded in their half of the first, as Mayhew walked, D. Jones and Dean both singled, putting Mayhew at third. Johnston then drove her in with a sac fly to center, tying the game at one. 

Third Inning

• Neither team broke the tie in the second and, after the Saints went down in order in the top of the third, EMU took a lead in their half. Kaitlyn Cunningham singled, got to third on Dean's double and came in to score on Johnston's second sac fly of the game, this time to left, for a 2-1 lead. 

Fifth Inning

• MU pulled even in the top of the fifth after a fielder's choice and a double plated a run. 
• That tie was short lived, however, as EMU surged back ahead in the bottom of the frame. Cunningham singled, moved to second on D. Jones' walk and got to third when Dean flied out. Johnston then came through with her third RBI of the day, this time a single that plated Cunningham, giving EMU a 3-2 lead. 

Sixth and Seventh Innings

• Dean worked around a one-out walk in the sixth to keep EMU's lead intact. After the Royals didn't plate anything in the bottom of the sixth, Dean went out looking for the win in the seventh. 
• A throwing error and a sac bunt put the tying run on third with one out in the top of the inning, but back-to-back ground outs wrapped up the win for EMU, giving the Royals their first of the season. 

Statistical Leaders
Cunningham: 2-2, 2 R
Johnson: 1-1, 3 RBI
Dean: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO | 2-2, 2B

What's Next
EMU will wrap up their time in North Carolina on Sunday, with two more games at the Classic. They'll start the day with Piedmont at 9:30 am before finishing with host William Peace at 2:30 pm. 

To keep up to date with everything surrounding EMU softball, follow EMU on  Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.