HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – After the first eight games on the road, EMU softball finally got to open up at home, taking on Mary Baldwin in a midweek matchup.

In the opener, the Fighting Squirrels used a seven-run second inning to help propel them to a 13-6 win over the Royals. Game two was a different story, as Meaghan Dean was dominant in the circle and at the plate, driving in three while throwing a complete game and giving up just one run, as EMU mercy-ruled MBU 9-1 in six innings.

EMU vs Mary Baldwin – Game One

Records: EMU 1-8, 0-0 ODAC | Mary Baldwin 3-4, 0-0 USA South

WP: Taylor Shreck (1-1)
LP: Jordan Lane (0-3)

Highlights

First and Second Innings
• MBU struck for two in the top of the first, after a walk and a two-run home run. But Lane settled down and got a strikeout to end the frame.
• The Royals were able to load the bases in the bottom of the first, with singles from Aliza Judd and Dean, and a Destiny Jones walk, but a fielder’s choice and a ground out ended the threat and kept EMU off the board.
• In the second, Mary Baldwin struck for seven runs, using six hits and two walks off Lane and eventually Dean, to take a 9-0 lead through two.

Third and Fourth Innings
• EMU was able to get on the board in the bottom of the third, as Judd led off with a single, moved to second on Kaitlyn Cunningham’s ground out and came in to score on Dean’s RBI double.
• The Fighting Squirrels pushed their lead to 11 in the top of the fourth, as they sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs.

Fifth Inning
• With EMU down to their final two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Cunningham reached on a fielder’s choice, got to second with a base hit from D. Jones and came in to score on Dean’s two-RBI double. Hannah Johnston followed that up with a two-run home run, pulling EMU within seven, 12-5.

Sixth and Seventh Innings
• Both teams added runs in the sixth, with EMU’s coming on a Braxten Jones single that plated D. Jones.
• After MBU went scoreless in their half of the seventh, the Royals went down in order in the bottom of the frame to secure the win for Mary Baldwin.

Statistical Leaders
Dean: 4-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R
Judd: 3-5, R
Johnston: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI

EMU vs Mary Baldwin – Game Two

Records: EMU 2-8, 0-0 ODAC | Mary Baldwin 3-5, 0-0 USA South

WP: Dean (2-5)
LP: Ashlyn Smiley (1-2)

Highlights

First and Second Innings
• Dean sat MBU down in order to start the game, bringing EMU to the plate. Judd singled and moved to third on back-to-back wild pitches. After Cunningham and D. Jones both reached, loading the bases, Dean drove in Judd with a sac fly to center, putting the Royals ahead 1-0. Johnston followed that up with a single up the middle, scoring Cunningham and giving EMU a 2-0 lead after one.
• EMU worked around a two-out double in the second, as Dean induced a ground out to keep Mary Baldwin off the board.
• Maggie Mayhew singled to lead off the second and moved to second on Aspen Jones’ bunt single. Judd walked to load the bases and A. Jones later came around to score on a walk to D. Jones, pushing the Royals lead to 3-0.

Third and Fourth Innings
• Dean was on cruise control, giving up just single hits in the third and fourth, but working out the jam in each inning to keep the shutout intact.
• In the bottom of the third, B. Jones and Mayhew both walked, and A. Jones singled, loading the bases. Payton Keesee came up with an infield single, driving in B. Jones and Mayhew and putting EMU ahead by five.
• In the fourth, Cunnigham walked and then came around to score on Dean’s two-run homer to right, giving EMU a 7-0 advantage.

Fifth and Sixth Innings
• Mary Baldwin struck for a run with a leadoff home run in the top of the fifth, and later in the inning, got runners on first and second. But Dean got a ground out to second to limit the damage.
• EMU didn’t score in the bottom of the fifth, but Dean made quick work of the Squirrels in the top of the sixth, to bring EMU back to the plate.
• Three walks loaded the bases, and Johnston drove in a run with an RBI single up the middle. B. Jones then drew a bases loaded walk, plating a second run and ending the game due to the eight-run mercy rule.

Statistical Leaders
Johnston: 2-3, 2 RBI
Dean: 1-2, HR, 3 RBI | 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 SO
Keesee: 1-3, 2 RBI

What’s Next
EMU will open ODAC play on Saturday, when they take on Roanoke College in a home doubleheader. First pitch of game one against the Maroons is set for 1:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —