HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The Royals welcomed in Sweet Briar on Sunday, for EMU’s next-to-last home series of the 2026 season.

In the opening game, it was a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth that pushed the Vixens to a 6-5 win. Sweet Briar’s pitcher, Abi Sawyers, was able to keep the Royals off the board in game two, as SBC picked up a 5-0 win.

EMU vs Sweet Briar – Game One

Records: EMU 6-23, 2-13 ODAC | Sweet Briar 15-20, 5-10 ODAC

WP: Ambyre Taylor (11-6)
LP: Haley Lambert (1-5)

Highlights

First Inning
• After a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases in the top of the first, SBC used a single and a hit-by-pitch to push across two runs and take a 2-0 lead.
• EMU answered right back in the bottom of the first when Destiny Jones and Meaghan Dean hit back-to-back solo homeruns to tie the game at two apiece.
Second and Third Innings
• EMU took a one-run lead in the bottom of the second as Payton Keesee singled with two outs and scored on Aliza Judd’s RBI double to left. Braxten Jones followed that up with a single, pushing Judd to third, but she was left there after a fly out to center.
• After Lambert sat the Vixens down in order in the third, EMU added another in their half of the third. Hannah Johnston reached on an infield single, moved to second on Maggie Mayhew’s walk and stole third. She then came in to score on a single from Aspen Jones, giving EMU a 4-2 lead.
Fourth Inning
• The Vixens were able to tie things at four after an RBI single and a throwing error allowed two runs to score.
• SBC’s tie was short lived as EMU answered right back as B. Jones doubled, D. Jones moved her to third with a single and Dean drove in the run, putting EMU back on top, 5-4.
Fifth and Sixth Innings
• Sweet Briar added a pair of runs, one each in the fifth and sixth innings, to take a 6-5 lead late in the game. EMU was able to get a runner on in the fifth, but went down in order in the sixth to keep SBC on top.
Seventh Innings
• Lambert got Sweet Briar 1-2-3 in the seventh, but Dean’s single was all EMU would pick up in their half of the seventh, as Sweet Briar secured the win.

Statistical Leaders
Dean: 3-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
D. Jones: 2-4, HR, RBI, R
B. Jones, Johnston, A. Jones: 2 hits each

EMU vs Sweet Briar – Game Two

Records: EMU 6-24, 2-14 ODAC | Sweet Briar 16-20, 5-11 ODAC

WP: Abi Sawyers (5-5)
LP: Dean (4-10)

Highlights

Fourth Inning
• The Royals put runners on second and third in the second inning, but through the first three innings, neither team was able to break the scoreless tie. In the top of the fourth, however, Dean came in to pitch, spelling Jordan Lane and the Vixens pounced on her, plating five runs on five hits before Brooke Morris came in and got out of the inning.
Sixth and Seventh Innings
• Morris continued to keep Sweet Briar off the board but unfortunately for EMU, Sawyers was dealing, keeping EMU scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth, B. Jones and D. Jones both singled, but were left at second and first, respectively, as a strikeout ended the threat.
• In the bottom of the seventh, Mayhew doubled down the right field line, but with two outs already in the inning, SBC picked up another strikeout to end the game with the win.

Statistical Leaders
• B. Jones, D. Jones, Dean, Johnston, Mayhew: 1 hit each
• Morris: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 1 SO

What’s Next
EMU is back at home for one more series, as they welcome in Shenandoah on Tuesday for a doubleheader. First pitch against the Hornets is set for 3:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —