HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – EMU Baseball took a break from ODAC play on Wednesday to entertain the Eagles of the University of Mary Washington at Royals Field. The Diamond Royals roared out of the gates with a nine-run first inning and led the whole way to pick up the 14-4 win in seven innings.
This is the Diamond Royals’ first victory over Mary Washington in 21 years, beating the Eagles at home 6-2 on March 31, 2005. EMU snapped a 13-game losing streak in the all-time series.
Records: EMU 9-10, 1-4 ODAC | Mary Washington 14-7, 0-0 Coast-To-Coast
WP: Andrew Wise (1-0)
LP: Jackson Myers (2-4)
Highlights
• Mary Washington’s leadoff batter hit a solo home run to left center field to stake the Eagles out to an early 1-0 lead.
• However, the visitors’ lead was short-lived as the Royals piled on nine runs in the bottom of the first. Aidan Miller got the ball rolling with a base hit through the left side, followed by a walk by Michael Duncan. Daniel McGinnis then sent the ball sailing over the left field fence for a three-run homer to put EMU up 3-1. A few batters later, Hadikell Bruno got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run in the form of Erik Wilkinson. Dylan Hall then smacked a single to left field to drive in Dalton Rocke. Noah Sanderson also scored on the play thanks to a fielding error by the Mary Washington left fielder. Then, on his second at-bat of the frame, Miller hammered a home run to left field to put the Royals out front, 9-1.
• Both teams tacked on a run each in the second inning. EMU’s run came on a double to right center from Bruno, which allowed Sanderson to score. That made in EMU 10, Mary Washington 2 through two.
• Following a scoreless third inning, the Eagles crept closer with two runs in the fourth to make it a 10-4 ballgame.
• The Diamond Royals added four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Another error by the Eagles, allowed Hall to advance to second and Sanderson to score. Mattox Flatt, in just his third career start at catcher, got in on the scoring with a two-RBI single up the middle, bringing in both Hall and Bruno. What proved to be the game-ending run came when Rocke drew a bases-loaded walk to bring Flatt home. With that, EMU led by a score of 14-4.
• Jackson Hull took the mound the seventh and retired Mary Washington in order to end the game via run rule and seal the win.
Statistical Leaders
Miller: 4-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBIs
Wilkinson: 3-for-3, 2B, R
McGinnis: 1-for-5, HR, R, 3 RBIs
Wise: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 Ks
Hull: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER
What’s Next
The Diamond Royals will look to carry the momentum from this win back into ODAC play as they hit the road for a doubleheader at Randolph Macon. First pitch of game one in Ashland is set for 12 p.m.
— EMU Athletics —
