Miller
Eastern Mennonite swept Regent in a high-scoring non-conference doubleheader Wednesday at home, winning 17-10 and 13-12 in a pair of seven-inning games.
In Game 1, EMU erupted for seven runs in the first inning and never trailed after Riverheads High product Aidan Miller opened the scoring with a solo home run.
Erik Wilkinson followed with an RBI single, and Noah Sanderson delivered the biggest blow of the inning with a grand slam. Miller added another RBI single in the frame as EMU built a 7-1 lead.
The Royals extended the margin with consistent power hitting throughout the game. Sanderson added five RBIs overall, while Michael Duncan contributed a two-run home run in the fifth.
Daniel McGinnis and Kyler Rodgers also helped fuel the offense as EMU built a 17-3 lead after five innings.
Regent scored seven runs across the final two innings, but the early deficit proved too large to overcome.
Miller finished 4 for 4 and hit for the cycle, adding a double, triple and home run along with four RBIs. Duncan went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs.
In Game 2, Regent again opened fast, scoring seven runs in the first inning to take an early 7-0 lead.
EMU answered immediately, cutting into the deficit with a three-run first inning highlighted by McGinnis’ two-run triple.
After Regent pushed its lead back to 10-3, EMU mounted a major comeback in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs to tie the game. McGinnis delivered a three-run home run during the rally, while Sanderson, Duncan and others contributed key RBI hits.
Sanderson gave EMU its first lead with a solo home run in the fifth, and the Royals added two insurance runs in the sixth.
Regent scored twice in the seventh and brought the tying run into scoring position, but Nash Withers induced a flyout to right field to secure the save and complete the sweep.
McGinnis finished 3 for 4 with five RBIs, finishing with double, triple and home run. Sanderson added a home run and three RBIs, while Duncan went 3 for 4.
EMU (12-24) closes its ODAC home slate Sunday with a doubleheader against Averett.