HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – As we turn the calendar to April, the Royals wrapped up their 2026 non-conference slate on Thursday, with a doubleheader against Mary Washington.
In game one, it was an offensive outburst as the teams combined for 20 runs and 27 hits, with Mary Washington picking up a 13-7 win. In game two, EMU’s bats were quieted as the Eagles grabbed the win, 8-0, in a game that was called in the top of the sixth due to darkness.
EMU vs Mary Washington – Game One
Records: EMU 5-16, 1-7 ODAC | Mary Washington 15-12, 0-0 C2C
WP: Charlotte Daniels (2-1)
LP: Meaghan Dean (4-9)
Highlights
First Inning
• Jordan Lane worked around a one-out single in the top of the first, keeping UMW off the board. In the bottom of the first, Destiny Jones socked her third home run of the season, giving EMU a 1-0 lead.
Second Inning
• The Eagles bats came to life in the top of the second, as they surged ahead 6-1, plating five runs in six hits and an EMU error. Dean spelled Lane with a runner in scoring position, who came in to score but then she got out of the inning with a ground out.
• In the Royals half of the second, they chipped away at the UMW lead. Aspen Jones and Payton Keesee both drew walks, forcing Mary Washington to go to the bullpen. They both advanced on a wild pitch and A. Jones came in to score on Braxten Jones’ RBI single, making it 6-2.
• Destiny Jones walked, loading the bases, and UMW made another pitching change. Dean greeted the new pitcher with a double over the right fielder’s head, scoring Keesee and B. Jones, pulling the Royals within two.
Fourth Inning
• Neither team moved the scoreboard in the third, but UMW added a run after the leadoff batter reached on an error and later came around to score.
• UMW’s three-run lead didn’t last long, however, as EMU tied things in the bottom of the fourth. B. Jones and Dean both singled, which was followed by a Hannah Johnston three-run blast to left, tying things at seven apiece.
Fifth and Sixth Innings
• The Eagles were able to pull back in front, plating two runs in the top of the fifth and four in the top of the sixth. And unfortunately for the Royals, they only managed three more hits over the final three innings, as UMW secured the game one win.
Statistical Leaders
Johnston: 3-4, HR, 3 RBI, R
Dean: 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Judd, B. Jones, D. Jones: 2 hits apiece
EMU vs Mary Washington – Game Two
Records: EMU 5-17, 1-7 ODAC | Mary Washington 16-12, 0-0 C2C
WP: Stephanie Csontos (5-2)
LP: Lane (1-6)
Highlights
First Inning
• UMW struck first in game one, as back-to-back two-out singles, followed by an error, plated a run for a 1-0 Eagles lead.
Third and Fourth Innings
• A single, walk and wild pitch put runners on second and third in UMW’s half of the third. A sac fly to second scored the runner from third before Lane got another pop out to end the inning.
• After EMU went down in order in the bottom of the third, Mary Washington added two insurance runs off five hits, before Dean came in and got a foul out to end the fourth.
Fifth and Sixth Innings
• Mary Washington was able to add two more in the fifth and had runners on first and second in the sixth, after having already plating two, before the umpires called the game due to darkness.
Statistical Leaders
D. Jones and A. Jones: 1 hit apiece
What’s Next
EMU is off for the Easter weekend and will return to action next Tuesday when they head down Route 42 to take on Bridgewater. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 3:00 pm.
— EMU Athletics —
