HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – EMU was back in action on Saturday, as they took on the University of Lynchburg in a home ODAC doubleheader.

A 5-5 tie was broken in the top of the seventh, as Lynchburg plated four runs for a 9-5 win in game one. In game two, The Hornets scored three in the first and four in the sixth, as they picked up the 8-1 win in game two.

EMU vs Lynchburg- Game One
Records: EMU 4-13, 0-5 ODAC | Lynchburg 13-8, 3-0 ODAC

WP: Chase Hartford (5-2)
LP: Haley Lambert (0-2)

Highlights
First Inning
• Lynchburg got on the board first, as a one-out walk came around to score after a stolen base and a single to center field. But Jordan Lane got a strikeout to end the frame and bring the Royals to the plate.
• The Hornets’ lead was short lived, as Braxten Jones drew a one-out walk and came in to score on Meaghan Dean’s home run to right field, putting EMU ahead 2-1.
Second Inning
• In the top of the second, it looked like Lynchburg would tie things at two, after a lead off double and then a single to left center. But Payton Keesee came up firing from left, and threw the Hornets runner out trying to score, keeping EMU in the lead.
Third Inning
• Lane worked around a one-out walk in the third and EMU came up, looking to extend their lead.
• B. Jones singled and Destiny Jones walk. Dean reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Hannah Johnston singled through the right side, scoring B. Jones and giving EMU a 3-1 lead.
Fourth Inning
• Aspen Jones led off the bottom of the fourth with a single and moved to second on Keesee’s sac bunt. A. Jones advanced to third on a wild pitch and came in to score on Aliza Judd’s RBI single up the middle.
Fifth Inning
• An EMU error and a single were followed up by a Lynchburg three-run home run, tying the game at four. After a hit-by-pitch, Dean came in to the circle and gave up a single. A stolen base put runners on second and third, but Dean got a big strikeout to end the inning and keep the game tied.
Sixth Inning
• Lynchburg was able to scratch across a run in the top of the sixth with a single, stolen base and an RBI double. But Dean settled in and once again stranded a runner in scoring position.
• In the Royals half of the sixth, Judd singled with two out and then came in to score on B. Jones’ RBI double to right-center, tying the game once again.
Seventh Inning
• Lambert came on in relief in the top of the seventh, and Lynchburg was able to capitalize on the pitching change. A lead off double, a walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. After a pop out put two outs on the board, a single plated a run, followed by an error that emptied the bases, giving Lynchburg a 9-5 lead.
• Dean walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh, but was stranded at first as EMU’s next three batters went down in order.

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

EMU vs Lynchburg – Game Two
Records: EMU 4-14, 0-6 ODAC | Lynchburg 14-8, 4-0 ODAC

WP: McKenzie Booth (1-2)
LP: Dean (4-8)

Highlights
First Inning and Second Innings
• Just like in game one, Lynchburg struck first in game two, plating three runs in the top of the first on two hits and two errors, taking a 3-0 lead.
• After EMU went down in order in the bottom of the first, Lynchburg added a run in the top of the second, using a single, stolen base and an RBI ground out to third plated a run, making it 4-0.
Third Inning
• EMU got their first hit in the bottom of the third, as Maggie Mayhew walked and over to second on A. Jones’ singled, putting runners in first and second. A Keesee sac bunt moved runners into scoring position, but a fly out and a pop out ended the threat.
Sixth Inning
• Neither team moved the scoreboard in the fourth or fifth, as Lynchburg came to bat in the top of the sixth. The Hornets were able to double their lead, adding four runs on four hits and an error, leading 8-0.
• In the bottom of the sixth, Judd led off with a single and then Aniyah Walker came in to pinch run. Walker moved to second on a wild pitch and got to third when D. Jones reached on an error. Dean singled to left, scoring Walker and getting EMU on the board.
Seventh Inning
• Dean came in to pitch in the seventh, and got out of a jam with a runner on third and just one out to bring EMU to the dish.
• Mayhew led off with a walk, Kaliyah Braxton was hit by a pitch and Judd singled to load the bases with just one out in the bottom of the inning. B. Jones walked, bringing in a run. But a strikeout and a ground out ended the rally, as Lynchburg picked up the win.

Statistical Leaders
Dean: 1-3, RBI
Judd: 2-4
A. Jones: 1-2

What’s Next
EMU is right back in action on Sunday, when they head to Danville for an ODAC doubleheader against Averett. First pitch of game one is set for 1:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —