Box Score | Game 1
Box Score | Game 2

Harrisonburg, VA - Cairn's baseball team opened their 2013 season on the road against Eastern Mennonite University in a doubleheader on Saturday.

Several Highlanders made their collegiate debut over the two games.

In the top of the second inning, freshman Luis Colon earned his first career RBI when he drove a single to center field that scored sophomore Eric Hodges, giving the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.

The Royals would respond in the bottom of the inning through Zach Bowles. His single to centerfield drove in two runs, allowing the host to take a 2-1 lead.

A three-run third inning saw Cairn regain the lead 4-2. First, Jeremy McAlack scored off of a sacrifice from Chad Hollinger, although Hollinger reached first on an error. With runners in scoring position, Caleb Lang earned his first RBI on a groundout to the baseman that allowed Chad Hollinger to make it home from third. Eric Hodges followed that up with a single to right field that drove in Austin Arseneau.

The lead wouldn't last long though, as Eastern Mennonite tied things up 4-4.

The Royals would score a run each in both the 4th and 5th inning, taking a 6-4 lead that would hold through 7 innings, giving EMU the win.

Casey Barlow would pitch a complete game for EMU, facing 32 batters and earning his 2nd win of the season. Jon Sanville got the start for the Highlanders, facing 26 and giving up only 6 hits.

Caleb Lang and Eric Hodges each went 2-for-4, while Kenneth Searle went 2-for-3.

In game two of the doubleheader, freshman Joey Nieves-Markee started on the mound for Cairn against EMU's Chris Dewald.

The scored remained 0-0 until a 7-run second inning propelled the Royals to an 11-3 win.

Jeremy McAlack went 2-for-2, outdone only by Caleb Lang who finished 3-for-3. Tyson Rohrs made his first appearance on the mound, facing 16 batters and striking out two.

The pair of losses moves Cairn to 0-2.

Next Friday, the Highlanders will have their hands full against Colonial States Athletics Conference and national powerhouse Keystone College.