HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The EMU Softball team was at Gehman Field one last time in 2026, as they welcomed in Shenandoah University for a midweek doubleheader.
In the opener, the Hornets used a four-run second inning en route to a 7-2 win over the Royals. Game two was a bigger offensive output for SU, as they scored in all five innings, picking up a 14-3 mercy-rule win.
EMU vs Shenandoah – Game One
Records: EMU 6-25, 2-15 ODAC | Shenandoah 27-8, 12-5 ODAC
WP: Gracie Ravenkamp (12-3)
LP: Brooke Morris (0-1)
Highlights
Second Inning
• Both teams were scoreless after one, but in the top of the second, SU used six hits, including a homerun and a pair of doubles, to plate four runs and take a 4-0 lead.
• EMU chipped away at the Hornets lead in their half of the second, when Hannah Johnston doubled to center and came around to score on Kaitlyn Cunningham’s RBI single to left-center, making the score 4-1.
Third and Fourth Innings
• Keagan Cooper, who led off the second with a solo homerun, did it again in the top of the third, pushing Shenandoah’s lead to 5-1, as Jordan Lane came in to pitch. The Hornets were able to get a runner to third, but a pop up and a line out got Lane out of the jam.
• In the bottom of the second, Destiny Jones hit her fifth homer of the season, pulling EMU back within three, 5-2.
• In the top of the fourth, SU was able to extend its lead with an RBI single and a sac fly, putting them on top 7-2. That would be more than enough as the Royals went down in order in each of the final four innings.
Statistical Leaders
D. Jones: 1-3, HR, RBI, R
Johnston: 1-3, 2B, R
EMU vs Shenandoah – Game Two
Records: EMU 6-26, 2-16 ODAC | Shenandoah 28-8, 13-5 ODAC
WP: Cadence Rieg (5-5)
LP: Haley Lambert (1-6)
Highlights
First, Second and Third Innings
• Shenandoah got things going early in game two, plating a pair of runs on three hits and two walks, to take a 2-0 lead.
• In the second, they added three more off Lambert and in the third, after Dean came in for Lambert, the Hornets added four more before Morris came in and got a ground out to end the inning.
Fourth and Fifth Innings
• After SU added one more in the top of the fourth, taking a 10-0 lead, EMU came to bat looking for its first hit.
• D. Jones drew a one-out walk and Dean singled through the left side to break up the no-hitter and put runners on first and second. Johnston followed that up with a single to load the bases and Cunningham came through with an RBI single, making the score 10-1.
• Mayhew came up next and flew out to center, but it was deep enough to drive in Aniyah Walker, who was pinch running, to give the Royals their second run of the inning.
• Three walks, a hit and an error pushed across four more runs for Shenandoah in the top of the fifth before Lane, who came in for Morris in the top of the fourth, got a big strikeout to end the inning. In EMU’s half of the fifth, Payton Keesee led off with a single and moved to second after an error by the centerfielder. Aliza Judd walked and Braxten Jones followed that up with an RBI single, scoring Keesee. But a GDP and a ground out to short ended the game in five with SU picking up the win.
Statistical Leaders
B. Jones: 1-3, RBI
Cunningham: 1-2, RBI
What’s Next
EMU will wrap up the 2026 season on Saturday when they head down to North Carolina to take on Guilford College. First pitch of the doubleheader against the Quakers is set for 1:00 pm.
— EMU Athletics —
