SALEM - The Roanoke softball team split a pair of contests with Eastern Mennonite University, falling in the first game 3-1, while winning the second game 8-5. The Maroons now have a record of 6-8, 1-1 in ODAC play, while the Royals are now 6-2, 2-2.

In the first game of the day, Roanoke ran into some trouble, as Eastern Mennonite put up three runs on the board early. With two runners on, Jordan Aylor scored on a passed ball. Mariah Foltz would later score on a ground out, coming in from third. Danyelle Smith scored as Aislinn Lucas hit an infield single. After the first inning, Eastern Mennonite led 3-0.

The Maroons trailed for the next four innings. Roanoke's lone run came as Rhea Schleicher hit a solo home run to the opposite field, falling over the right field wall. However, that would be Roanoke's only run of the contest, as the Maroons fell 3-1 in the first game of the day.

Roanoke finished with five hits in game one, led by Katie Smith and Rhea Schleicher with two hits apiece. Taylor Carter had the other hit for the Maroons. Schleicher also had the only RBI for the Maroons with her home run in the fifth inning. Kelly Higbie pitched the complete game, giving up three runs off nine hits, while striking out two batters.

The Royals finished the first game with nine hits, led by Mariah Foltz with three, followed by Aislinn Lucas with two. Lucas and Angela Miller tallied one RBI apiece. Cara Neikirk finished the game with 4.2 innings pitched, picking up the win in the game. Lauren Seal pitched the remainder of the game, striking out five batters, while giving up only one hit.

The second game appeared as if it would turn out the way the first had, as Roanoke gave up three runs in the top of the first inning. The Royals scored their fourth run of the game in the top of the third as Foltz made her way home by way of a wild pitch. Roanoke, however, snapped their scoreless contest as Taylor Sutherland hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the third that also plated Schleicher. After three innings, Roanoke trailed 4-2. The Royals scored another run in the top of the fifth as Aylor answered with a home run of her own. After five, the Maroons trailed 5-2.

The Maroons rallied in the final two innings of the game. Marleigh Hall scored in the bottom of the sixth as Jordan Meador hit a ground out to second base. Taylor Carter followed with a single to center field, bringing around Rhea Schleicher. With just one inning to play, the Maroons were down 5-4. Katie Smith opened the bottom of the seventh with a single and advanced to third on a throwing error. Ruthie Williams came up next and hit an RBI single that plated Smith, tying the game at 5-5. Samantha Baldwin singled, moving pinch runner Higbie to second base. After a pitching change for the Royals, Marleigh Hall hit her first career home run, scoring three runners on the play and picking up the victory for the Maroons, 8-5.

Katie Smith led the Maroons in hitting in the first game, going 3-4 on the afternoon. Taylor Sutherland, Ruthie Williams and Marleigh Hall all finished with two hits in the game. Hall also led the squad in RBIs, bringing home three of the team's eight runs. Sarah Groft earned her first career victory in the circle, pitching one inning and giving up no hits or runs, striking out two.

The Royals were led in hitting by Mariah Foltz, Danyele Smith and Aislinn Lucas, who all finished the day with two hits. Foltz led the team in runs scored, crossing the plate twice in the loss.

The Maroons return to action on Tuesday, March 24^th as the team travels to Emory, VA to take on Emory & Henry in ODAC action. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.

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