Royals Softball Splits Wins with Messiah

Photo by Wayne Gehman

Softball coach J.D. McCurdy signals to his players. Wednesday's split with Messiah left the Royals at 13-12.

The softball team rebounded from a 4-2 loss in game one of a doubleheader to win game two 6-3 over Messiah College in non-conference action on Wednesday afternoon at home.

The first game was a scoreless tie until Messiah (12-16) struck for four runs in the top of the fifth inning. EMU (13-12) first-year pitcher Roxanne Martin allowed one run and left with a runner on base. First-year Natasha Viafora relieved Martin and allowed the inherited runner to score as well as two additional unearned runs. Martin took the loss, falling to 2-3 for the season.

First-year Lana Trotter earned the victory, improving to 4-5 overall. She allowed two runs, one of which was earned, on six hits with four strikeouts in seven innings. Trotter also went 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Sophomore second baseman Jenny Geilfuss was also 1-for-3, scoring one run and knocking in a run.

Sophomore left fielder Tessa Grubb and first-year third baseman Laura Bomberger each went 1-for-4 with one RBI for the Lady Royals. First-year right fielder Anna Coleman doubled and scored both EMU runs.

In the second game, EMU scored three runs in the third inning to grab a three-run lead. First-year Anny Smucker plated a run with a bunt single and fellow first-year Miranda White later smacked a two-run double to right field.

Messiah tied the game with one run in the fourth and two in the fifth. EMU had a response, however, with an RBI single by sophomore center fielder Sabrina Tusing and another run-scoring double by White. The Lady Royals padded the lead with one run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly to center field by first-year pinch hitter Amber Sharp.

Grubb allowed three runs on six hits in five innings to earn the victory and improve to 3-6 on the season. First-year Mandy Morris tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn her second season of the season. Sophomore Rebecca Croft took the loss for the Falcons, falling to 3-7 after allowing five runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings.

White finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBI. Tusing was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI. Viafora went 2-for-3 and scored a run. The Falcons were led by junior catcher/shortstop Gina Weaver and sophomorefirst baseman Kristin Memmelaar, who each went 2-for-3 in game two.

EMU has an ODAC road trip this weekend with a doubleheader on Saturday at Virginia Wesleyan College at 3 p.m. and a 1 p.m. twin bill at Randolph-Macon College on Sunday.