HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Royals softball opened ODAC play on Sunday, welcoming the Wild Cats of Randolph College to Gehman Field.
In the first game, EMU fought for seven innings but came up just one run short in a 10-9 loss to Randolph. The second game was just as tight but this one took extra innings to decide. Unfortunately for the Royals, it was Randolph who walked away with the 10-7 win in 11 innings.
EMU vs Randolph – Game One
Records: EMU 6-6-1, 0-1 ODAC | RC 13-8,1-0 ODAC
WP: Jenna St. John (4-2)
LP: Natalye Graham (2-3)
Highlights
- The Wild Cats took a 3-0 lead in the first off Graham with a three-run homerun.
- In the bottom of the second inning, the Royals offense came to life. Taylor Umberger singled through the right side of the field, picking up an RBI as Grace Fravel scored. Carsen Brake then grounded out to the shortstop, but not before Becca Boone scored. Later in the inning, after Umberger scored on a wild pitch, Emerson Adkins hit a fly ball out to center field for a sac fly as Autumn Bailey scored. EMU would finish the inning with a 6-3 lead as Madi Armentrout homered to left field helping Reese Rogers score.
- Randolph would pull within two with a run in the third but EMU added to their side of the scoreboard as Fravel went yard, plating Samantha Hensley, and putting the Royals on top 8-4.
- The late innings weren't kind to EMU as Randolph scored six unanswered runs to take a 10-8 lead into the seventh. Armentrout came through with her second homerun of the game to cut the Royals deficit to one, but the tying run was left at first base as a popout to short ended the game.
Statistical Leaders
Armentrout: 2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2R
Fravel: 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
EMU vs RC – Game Two
Records: EMU 6-7-1, 0-2 ODAC | Randolph 14-8, 2-0 ODAC
WP: Olesia Walch (4-3)
LP: Graham (2-4)
Highlights
- Game two was a lower scoring affair in regulation. Four Wild Cat runs in the second, third and fifth gave Randolph a 4-0 lead off Fravel, who got the start in the circle in game two.
- The Royals cut into the lead in their half of the fifth when Fravel doubled, plating Rogers and Hensley.
- Then, in the seventh, trailing by two, Rogers doubled to lead off before coming in to score on Armentrout's triple. She then came in to score on a wild pitch, sending the game into extras.
- Randolph scored in the top of the ninth and 10th, but EMU picked up RBI from Fravel and Rayn Robinson to keep the game going. In the 11th, Randolph was able to plate three to take a 10-7 lead. The Royals then went down in order to end the game.
Statistical Leaders
Fravel: 3-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI
Armentrout: 2-4, 3B, RBI, R
What's Next
The Royals will hit the road on Wednesday to take to on Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. First pitch of the doubleheader is at 3 pm.
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