BRIDGEWATER, Va. – After a brief hiatus for Easter, the Royals were back in action on Tuesday, as they made the short trek down 42 to take on Bridgewater College.

In the opener, the Royals put together six hits and Haley Lambert pitched her best game of the season, but a three-run home run from BC in the third proved to be the difference, as Bridgewater won game one, 4-0. Game two was a back-and-forth affair until a six-run sixth inning by the Eagles propelled them to an 8-3 win.  

EMU vs Bridgewater – Game One

Records: EMU 5-18, 1-8 ODAC | Bridgewater 20-7, 7-2 ODAC

WP: Mackenzie Cauthorn (11-3)
LP: Lambert (0-3)

First, Second and Third Innings

• Aliza Judd continued her strong season, singling off Cauthorn to lead off the game. But she was stranded at first as the next three batters went down on strikes. Lambert worked around a walk and a stolen base, to leave a runner in scoring position.
• Hannah Johnston singled to left and advanced to third on Maggie Mayhew's single plus an error. After a pop out, Aspen Jones laid down a bunt that looked like it would score Johnston, but a close play at the plate went against the Royals to keep the game scoreless.
• In the bottom of the third, Bridgewater broke the scoreless tie. After back-to-back walks, McKenna Mueller hit a three-run shot over the left field fence for a 3-0 BC lead.

Final Four Innings

• Johnston doubled in the top of the fourth but was left at second after a line out ended the EMU threat.
• In the bottom of the inning, BC led off with a single, moved to second with a sac bunt, and then to third on a foul out. Then, an RBI double plated the runner, giving the Eagles a 4-0 lead.
• EMU's best chance of the game came in the top of the fifth, as Payton Keesee was hit, and Judd and Braxten Jones both singled, loading the bases with nobody out. But a foul out and back-to-back strikeouts ended EMU's rally. The Eagles didn't score, but EMU only had one runner reach in the final two innings, as Bridgewater took game one.

Statistical Leaders
Johnston: 2-3, 2B
Judd: 2-4
Lambert: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 SO

EMU vs Bridgewater – Game Two

Records: EMU 5-19, 1-9 ODAC | Bridgewater 21-7, 8-2 ODAC

WP: Evelyn Rhoads (9-2)
LP: Jordan Lane (1-7)

Highlights

First and Third Innings

• BC was able to get on the board first to start game two, using a two-out single and an error to take a 1-0 lead.
• In the top of the third, EMU was able to tie things up as A. Jones led off with a single and then moved to second on Keesee's sac bunt. Judd's single moved A. Jones to third before B. Jones drove in her sister with an RBI fielder's choice.

Fifth Inning

• Lane was keeping the Eagles bats at bay until the bottom of the fifth. A leadoff single was sac bunted over to second before coming in to score on an RBI double, breaking the tie. Lane then got a comebacker to the circle for the final out to strand the runner at second.

Sixth and Seventh Innings

• BC's lead didn't last long, as EMU surged ahead with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Destiny Jones led off with a double and that was followed by a Meaghan Dean homer to left-center, her team-leading fifth of the season, giving the Royals a 3-2 advantage.
• Unfortunately for EMU, Bridgewater would re-take the lead in the bottom of the inning, plating six runs on six hits, including a three-run home run, to pull ahead 8-3 through six.

Statistical Leaders
Dean: 1-3, HR, 3 RBI
D. Jones: 1-3, 2B, R
Judd: 2-4

What's Next
EMU is back in action on Sunday when they head down to Lynchburg for a doubleheader against Randolph College. First pitch of game one is set for 1:00 pm.