HARRISONBURG, Va. – The EMU Baseball team went into Tuesday's game at Royals Field looking to even the score with crosstown rival Bridgewater following a road loss two weeks ago. Instead, the Eagles, ranked ninth in the latest D3Baseball.com national poll, held off a late Royals rally to win 12-10 and complete the season sweep of the Route 42 Rivalry.

Records: EMU 10-21, 1-14 ODAC | #9 Bridgewater 28-6, 10-5 ODAC

WP: Andrew Baugher (3-0)
LP:  Keenan Fulwood (0-1)
S: Gary Tompkins (1)

Highlights

• The Eagles flew out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but the hometown Royals countered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Aidan Miller reached home thanks to a throwing error by the Bridgewater catcher and then Michael Duncan hit a double to left field to send Erik Wilkinson home to tie the score at 2 after one inning of play.
• However, Bridgewater immediately answered quickly with a Zach Chadwell grand slam home run to retake the lead, 6-2.
• The Diamond Royals got two of those runs back in the bottom of the second. Trevor Gjormand smacked a base hit to left field to bring in Jett Cabanban. The next batter was Miller, who doubled to send Gjormand home.
• The two teams went scoreless in the third and fourth innings. Bridgewater brought in two runs to go back by four runs at 8-4.
• EMU added two runs in the sixth and another run in the seventh. Dalton Rocke belted a single to right center field to plate Daniel McGinnis. One batter later, Hadikell Bruno got a single of his own to left center as Rocke hustled from first base to score. In the seventh inning, McGinnis grounded out to shortstop, but Gjormand scored in the process. With that, the Royals clawed their way to within one run of the Eagles, 8-7.
• But then, Bridgewater scored the next four runs unanswered to go up 12-7 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
• The Royals fought until the end, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth. McGinnis hammered a two-run home run to right center field. A few batters later, Bruno reached on a fielding error that allowed pinch runner Kyler Rodgers to score to get the Royals within two runs. However, Bridgewater then shut the door on EMU to take home the win.  

Statistical Leaders
Miller: 2-for-3, 2B, R, RBI
McGinnis: 1-for-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBIs
Gjormand: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI

What's Next
The Diamond Royals head out of state this Saturday, April 18, for an ODAC doubleheader at Guilford. First pitch of game one versus the Quakers is scheduled for 12 p.m.