VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Because of weather, EMU was forced to wrap up their weekend series against Virginia Wesleyan on Sunday, rather than Saturday.

But Sunday wins are just as nice, as the Royals scored five runs in the first two innings en route to a 9-2 win over the Marlins.

Records: EMU 5-13, 1-4 ODAC | Virginia Wesleyan 3-12-1, 2-1-1 ODAC
WP: Keenan Fulwood (1-0)
LP: Connor Mock (0-3)

Highlights
• Logan Mason and Ethan Spraker led off the game with singles and both scored on RBI from Cole Bashinski and Natty Solomon, giving EMU a 2-0 lead. The Marlins cut the deficit to one on an RBI in the first before Fulwood picked up a strikeout to end the threat.

• With two outs in the second, Mason singled again and came around to score on Spraker’s RBI double. After Spraker advanced to third, he scored on Nick Arnold’s two-run homerun, pushing EMU’s lead to 5-1.

• Arnold and Bashinski came through with two more RBI in the fourth, each on base hits, extending the Royals lead to 7-1. Fulwood gave up just one more run, a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth, and exited the game after five innings with a 7-2 lead.

• EMU added to its lead in the top of the ninth when Jason Dwyer doubled to left center, scoring Drew Petitt and Erik Wilkinson, giving the Royals a 9-2 lead.

• After Fulwood left in the sixth, Skylar Lacks and Brendon Barrett combined to throw the final three innings. Lacks went 1.2, giving up two hits, three walks and no earned runs. Barrett came to the mound with two outs in the seventh and finished out the game, giving up just one hit while striking out four.

Statistical Leaders
Spraker: 4-5, 2B, RBI, 3 R
Arnold: 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, R
Mason, Solomon: 6-11, RBI, 3 R

What’s Next
EMU will be back at home on Tuesday when they welcome Trinity College (Conn.) to Royals Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 pm.

— EMU Athletics —