RALEIGH, NC. (EMU Athletics) – The Royals wrapped up their weekend in North Carolina on Saturday, with two final games of the Triangle Classic.

In the morning game, Piedmont used four runs across the final three innings, en route to an 8-4 win. In the Sunday matinee, it was a five-run fourth and fifth innings from William Peace that lifted them to a 7-2 win over EMU.

Piedmont8, EMU 4

Records: EMU 1-6, 0-0 ODAC | Piedmont 9-6, 0-0 CCS

WP: Taylor Spivey (3-4)
LP: Meaghan Dean (1-4)
Sv: Jalyn McGee (1)

Highlights

First and Second Innings
• In the top of the first, Piedmont used a leadoff single and a two-run homerun, to take a 2-0 lead. The homer was followed up by two more singles, but Dean was able to induce a ground out to get out of the jam.
• The Royals went down in order in the bottom of the first, and in the top of the second, Anslee Sauchegraw, who hit the homerun in the first, belted another one with a runner on, for her second of the day and a 4-0 Lions lead.
Fourth Inning
• EMU got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, as Dean socked her first homerun of the season, pulling the Royals within three.
Fifth Inning
• A hit and an error led to another Lions run in the top of the fifth, as they pushed their lead back to four, 5-1.
• EMU wasn’t ready to call it quits yet, as Maggie Mayhew led off the top of the fifth reaching on an error. That was followed by a Braxten Jones homer to left, plating Mayhew and pulling the Royals back within two, 5-3.
Sixth and Seventh Innings
• Piedmont tacked on an insurance run in the sixth and two in the seventh, leading 8-3 as EMU came to bat for the final time.
• Aniyah Walker and B. Jones both walked and Aspen Jones singled, to load the bases. Brooke Morris drew a bases loaded walk to plate Walker, but a fly out and a ground out kept the bases loaded for EMU as Piedmont secured the win.

Statistical Leaders
B. Jones: 1-2, HR, 2 RBI, R
Dean: 1-3, HR, RBI, R | 7.0 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 7 ER

William Peace7, EMU 2

Records: EMU 1-7, 0-0 ODAC | William Peace 3-3, 0-0 USA South

WP: Reagan Stewart (2-1)
LP: Dean (1-5)

Highlights

First Inning
• EMU struck first, plating a pair of runs in the top of the first. Aliza Judd singled to lead off the game, followed by a Kaitlyn Cunningham walk. After a passed ball advanced both runners, Dean’s single to center plated Judd, followed by Hannah Johnston reaching on a fielder’s choice, scoring Cunningham, for a 2-0 EMU lead.
• Peace got both runs back in their half of the first, using a pair of hits and three walks to score two.
Fourth and Fifth Innings
• Neither team broke the stalemate in the second and third, but in the bottom of the fourth, the Pacers broke through, using five hits to score three runs, taking a 5-2 lead. They added two more runs on four hits in the bottom of the fifth, extending their lead to 7-2. That would be the final score, as EMU was able to get runners on in both the sixth and seventh innings, but couldn’t push anyone across.

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

What’s Next
EMU will finally get to play in front of the home crowd, as they take on Mary Baldwin on Tuesday at Gehman Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —