But 91短视频鈥檚 growing success, including a recent upset of Bridgewater鈥檚 highly touted team, suggests that Spotts鈥� recruiting philosophy鈥攁nd his mission for the Royals program –is helping the Royals compete at a higher level.

Of the 42 players on the Royals roster, 12 are from the Shenandoah Valley.

The wealth of local talent has deep roots: a love of baseball has often been passed down through the generations of Valley families. And there鈥檚 the rich local history of the game: The , which dates to 1897, and the , dating to 1925, have offered both playing and spectating opportunities for decades (until becoming a collegiate league in 1961, the Valley League was open to any player).

Valley baseball players

鈥淭here鈥檚 not much else to do in the Valley but play ball,鈥� jokes Martin Clark, a sophomore pitcher who graduated from Broadway High School.

Others from Rockingham County (and listed by their respective high schools) are freshman pitcher Logan Phelps, Spotswood, and sophomore catcher Ryan Hedrick, Turner Ashby.

From the northern Valley region come senior pitcher Ryan Henschel, Stonewall Jackson; freshman outfielder Julian Bussells and junior pitcher Ryan Tierney, Warren County; and sophomore catcher Aaron Cook, Luray.

The southern Valley is represented by freshman pitcher Tristan Childress, Waynesboro, and senior outfielder and pitcher Kyle Armstrong, Riverheads.

This group of mostly underclass local talent symbolizes Spotts鈥� recruiting strategy鈥攁nd it鈥檚 one factor contributing to a significant turn-around in the program’s history.

When Spotts first started in 2013, the games were sparsely attended. Now on game days, cars line College Avenue, the small hillside behind the home dugouts is crowded with fans and their lawn chairs and blankets (and usually a few dogs, too), and the concession trailer does good business.

More and more wins

In 2011 and 2012, 91短视频 managed only 11 wins. Most ODAC schools would look at their schedules before the season started and etch a 鈥淲鈥� next to 91短视频鈥檚 name. In 2013, after Spotts arrived, 91短视频 jumped to 15 wins. Last year, the Royals finished the season with a 20-19 record, notching their first winning record since 2002 (that year, the team was led by , currently a catcher for the Kansas City Royals). It was also just the third 20-win season in program history.

According to Spotts, who came to 91短视频 after spending 14 seasons at Bridgewater College, the ODAC has improved in competition, commitment level and facilities in the past five to seven years. He speculated that the ODAC could be one of the top three Division III conferences in the country. In a , two teams in the 14-team conference, including Randolph-Macon at seventh, are ranked in top 20 (Bridgewater was ranked 19th until dropping out during the March 24 polling).

Ryan McAlister聽’14 saw the struggling program turn around under Spotts鈥� guidance. He arrived at 91短视频 in 2011 from nearby Turner Ashby High School and one of the state鈥檚 most consistently competitive baseball programs (TA teams have earned six AA state titles and several graduates have gone on to professional careers in Major League Baseball).

鈥淕oing from a very competitive school in high school, to my first year here 鈥� winning 11 games and losing 28 鈥� it was a lot different than being on a winning program,鈥� said McAlister, who currently coaches the junior varsity team at his alma mater.

Planned, disciplined practices

Then Spotts took over. McAlister, along with the other players, took a liking to their new coach. Practices felt productive, and team chemistry began to feel cohesive.

Under Spotts鈥� coaching, McAlister earned All-State and All-ODAC honors. In his final season, McAlister batted .365 and held a .447 on-base percentage. He tied for the team-high in runs scored with 35, and led the team in stolen bases with 13.

Spotts is 鈥渢horough and disciplined, and he鈥檚 got a plan,鈥� says Dave McAlister, who hardly missed one of his son鈥檚 home games. 鈥淗e鈥檚 organized. He鈥檚 a good fit for 91短视频, and 91短视频鈥檚 a good fit for him.鈥�

Of his son鈥檚 progress on and off the field, McAlister says 91短视频 was an excellent choice: 鈥淎t 91短视频, Ryan picked up what we might call maturity things.鈥�

Tristan Childress, a freshman pitcher, has entered the legacy that McAlister left behind. He was also recruited by Bridgewater, but Spotts proved to be a deciding factor, Childress said, adding that he found the energy Spotts brings to the field 鈥渃onvincing.鈥� Perhaps more importantly, Childress said the senior leadership were just as positive about the program and the upcoming season.

Recruiting coachable, motivated students

When recruiting players, Spotts says he looks for coachable and motivated student-athletes 鈥渨ho want to be a part of the campus community and are committed to being a part of the academic and athletic community at 91短视频.鈥�

鈥淭hese players are committed to making our baseball program on of the top in the ODAC,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd they understand the hard work and year round commitment that is involved in competing in a college baseball program.聽 I continually talk about our team and each player leaving their mark on our program in a positive way.鈥�

In the previous two seasons, seven players have earned s and one player, Jonathan Estrada, was named to the .

As for future recruits, Spotts says he鈥檚 always on the lookout for local talent. A common misconception among prospective students, he says, is that 91短视频 is only open to those of the Mennonite faith.

Like the game of baseball, 91短视频 is 鈥渙pen to all faiths,鈥� he says. 鈥淐ome visit. You may not come here if you do visit, but you鈥檒l think hard about it.鈥�

鈥淚 am pleased that the conference recognizes student-athletes for their focus on fair play and sportsmanship,” explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston.聽 “The conference prides itself on positive sportsmanship and encouraging student-athletes to lead by example. 聽Each one of the honorees has been selected by the coaches in recognition of their conduct in the arena.聽 My hat is off to these student-athletes – thanking them for the example they set for all of us.鈥�

The ODAC has a rich tradition in promoting fair play and good sportsmanship in each sport across the league.聽 The character of the conference鈥檚 student-athletes on and off the field is a representation of not only the individuals and teams, but also the institutions they play for.

Eastern Mennonite鈥檚 selections to the ODAC Sportsmanship Teams are listed below:

Baseball –聽
Basketball (Men) –聽
Basketball (Women) –聽
Cross Country (Men) –聽
Cross Country (Women) –聽
Field Hockey –聽
Golf (Men) –聽
Golf (Women) –聽
Indoor Track & Field (Men) –聽
Indoor Track & Field (Women) –聽
Outdoor Track & Field聽 (Men) –聽
Outdoor Track & Field聽 (Women) –聽
Soccer (Men) –聽
Soccer (Women) –聽
Softball –聽
Volleyball –聽

91短视频 6, MCLA 5
The Royals opened with an afternoon game against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and they scored single runs in each of the first four innings.聽 The Trailblazers put up three runs in the third, then took a 5-4 lead with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Neither team would score again until the eighth, when (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) hit a two-out RBI double to tie the score.聽 (Poquoson, Va./Poquoson) then led off the top of the ninth with a double, was sacrificed to third, and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly from (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby).聽 MCLA managed a one-out walk in their final at-bat, but that was it.

The men had an 11-8 advantage in hitting, led by Posey’s 3-5 with two runs.聽 The senior also started on the mound and pitched 6.1 innings for a no decision.聽 Only three of the runs were earned and Posey struck out nine batters.聽 (Carroll, Va./Carroll) earned the win by giving up just the one walk with four strikeouts in 2.2 innings.

91短视频 14, Clark 6
Next up, the Royals resumed a doubleheader with Clark University.聽 The Cougars had led 5-1 when the rains had ended play the day before.聽 91短视频 had the bases loaded at the time, however, and the rally resumed when play picked back up on Friday.

The men put on a clinic in the at-bat, sending 17 men to the plate with nine hits and four walks.聽 91短视频 scored 12 runs to surge in front 12-5, with Hedrick knocking a pair of two-run singles in the inning.聽 (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) also had a two-run triple.

The Royals overcame four errors in the game by getting 15 hits and six walks in the seven-inning contest.聽 (Miramar, Fla./Monsignor Edward Pace) was 3-4 with three runs.聽 Hedrick was 2-4 with a walk and four RBIs, while (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) added three RBIs.聽 Every starter reached base at least twice for the men.

(Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) pitched four innings and was charged with five runs.聽 (Greenville, Va./Riverheads) pitched Clark’s half of the fifth inning before rains suspended the game and earned the win.聽 (Front Royal, Va./Warren County) then threw the final two frames, giving up an unearned run.

91短视频 6, Clark 3
The bats kept rolling in the nightcap as Eastern Mennonite jumped to a 6-1 lead.聽 Armstrong had a two-run single in the first.聽 The Cougars brought home single runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth, but neither team scored over the final two innings.

(new Market, Va./Stonewall Jackson) and (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) combined to limit Clark to just three hits.聽 Henschel started and allowed all of the runs in 4.2 innings, although only one was earned.聽 Salladay struck out three in 2.1 innings of hitless relief.

Hedrick and Armstrong were each 2-4 with two RBIs.聽 Posey and McAlister each scored twice.聽 (Miami, Fla./Doral Academy) didn’t chart an official at-bat, but finished with three walks, a sacrifice fly, an RBI and a run scored.

As the Royals prepare for Christopher Newport on Tuesday, they will have a chance to see how they have improved in Ben Spotts’ second season as head coach and with his first full class of recruits.聽 Last year, 91短视频 had the same number of wins as this year after their trip to Florida (at 11-8), but struggled through the ODAC season to a 15-24 final record.聽 Despite finishing with the most wins since 2002 last spring, the Royals will be looking for a better conference season this time around.

91短视频 23, Mount Saint Vincent 10
The Royals scored three runs in their first at-bat, but broke open a tie game in the bottom of the second.聽 With two outs and just a runner on third, 91短视频 took off.聽 (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) brought in three runs with a bases loaded single, and (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) roped a two-run triple.聽 Seven runs scored as the men jumped in front, 10-3.

The Royals scored twice in the third, and four more times in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run double from (Miami, Fla./Doral).

The men led 16-8 in the bottom of the sixth when to landed another seven-run frame.聽 (Roanoke, Va./Cave Springs) had his own two-run triple, and (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield) hit a pinch-hit two-run single.

Although the game featured a combined 13 errors, Eastern Mennonite had 21 hits to go with seven walks.聽 Mathews finished 3-3 with four RBIs while Estrada was 2-3 with three RBIs, two walks and two runs.聽 (Poquoson, Va./Poquoson) had three hits, scoring twice and knocking in two more.聽 Hedrick finished with four RBIs and two runs, while (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) scored three times.

(Shippensburg, Pa./Shippensburg) pitched five innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits to get his first win of the season.

91短视频 8, Mount Saint Vincent 4 鈥� 6 innings
While the nightcap never got flowing the way the first game did, the Royals took full advantage of CMSV’s three errors, as half of their runs were unearned.

The Dolphins led 1-0 when 91短视频 took over in the bottom of the second.聽 Four runs scored, highlighted by ‘s (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) two-run single.聽 The visitors plated another single run in the third, but the Royals jumped the lead to 7-2 with three unearned runs in the bottom of the frame.

The final two innings were filled with tension, but little scoring, as 91短视频 turned a double play to end the game after the top of the sixth on account of darkness.

Posey had four of the men’s 10 hits, going a perfect 4-4.聽 McAlister had two RBIs while Estrada reached base twice on walks.聽 (Rustburg, Va./Rustburg) singled in his only official at-bat, adding a walk, run and RBI to his totals.

(Front Royal, Va./Warren County) improved to 1-0 by scattering six hits over 5.0 innings.聽 (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) threw a scoreless sixth.

After sweeping all five games of their home-opening weekend, the Royals (6-1) are set to host Penn State-Harrisburg on Thursday.聽 91短视频 then welcome Emory & Henry on Saturday for their ODAC opener.

All of 91短视频鈥檚 ODAC-sponsored sports were represented on the All-Academic Team.聽 Men鈥檚 volleyball competes in the Continental Volleyball Conference and is not eligible for the ODAC team.

The ODAC All-Academic Team eclipsed 1,000 student-athletes for the seventh consecutive year and set a new high-water mark for conference honorees for the fourth year in a row.聽 With representatives from each of the 17 ODAC institutions (including Catholic University for football only and Greensboro College and Notre Dame of Maryland University for swimming only), 1,459 student-athletes earned recognition on the 2012-13 ODAC All-Academic Team.

Eligibility for the ODAC All-Academic Team is open to any student-athlete that competes in a conference-sponsored sport, regardless of academic class.聽 He or she must achieve at least a 3.25 grade point average for the year to be considered for an ODAC All-Academic Award.

The entire list of Royals named to the ODAC All-Academic Team is listed below.

Nels Akerson – Cross Country, Track & Field
Elizabeth Alderfer – Cross Country, Track & Field
Sonja Anderson – Field Hockey
Kayley Argenbright – Women’s Basketball
Trey Barrett – Men’s Basketball
Ruthie Beck 鈥� Softball
Jennifer Blankenship – Women’s Basketball
Jessica Blanks – Field Hockey
Carol Brinkley – Field Hockey
Jonathan Bush – Men’s Soccer, Track & Field
Hannah Chappell-Dick – Cross Country, Track & Field
Hannah Clemmer – Cross Country, Track & Field
Melissa Cox – Field Hockey
Nicolette Cuevas 鈥� Softball
Mary Beth Danaher – Field Hockey
Patty Danaher – Cross Country, Track & Field
Jenessa Derstine – Field Hockey
Alli Eanes – Cross Country, Track & Field
Katie Eckman – Cross Country
Ryan Eshleman – Men’s Soccer
Jonathan Estrada 鈥� Baseball
Daniel Friesen – Men’s Soccer
Chantelle Garber – Field Hockey
Jessica Goertzen – Women’s Volleyball
Naomi Good – Women’s Soccer
Patrick Graber – Cross Country, Track & Field
Derek Harnish – Men’s Soccer
Bethany Hench – Field Hockey
Ryan Henschel 鈥� Baseball
Brooke Hensley 鈥� Softball
Jordan Hollinger – Men’s Soccer
David Hooley – Men’s Soccer
Holly Jensen – Women’s Soccer
Brianna Kauffman – Field Hockey
Janna Kaufman – Women’s Soccer
Rachel Kennel – Women’s Volleyball
Lanae Kreider – Cross Country, Track & Field
Jonathan Leaman – Men’s Golf
Parker Leap – Men’s Soccer
Mattie Lehman – Women’s Volleyball
Mollie Lehman – Field Hockey
Rachel Lehman – Women’s Volleyball
Lexi Link – Women’s Volleyball
Owen Longacre – Men’s Basketball
Karla Martin – Women’s Volleyball
Katie Martin – Women’s Volleyball
Phillip Martin – Track & Field
Ian Mast – Men’s Soccer
Mark Mast – Men’s Soccer
Saralyn Mast – Cross Country, Track & Field
Brittany McDonaldson – Women’s Golf
Thomas Millary – Cross Country
Katie Miller – Women’s Volleyball
Michelle Miller – Women’s Volleyball
Kaitlyn Morris 鈥� Softball
Austin Mumaw – Men’s Soccer
Joel Murray – Men’s Golf
Dan Nafziger – Cross Country, Track & Field
Jolee Paden – Cross Country, Track & Field
Jesse Parker – Cross Country, Track & Field
Hannah Patterson – Track & Field
Alicia Poplett – Women’s Soccer
Jess Rheinheimer – Women’s Basketball
Steph Rheinheimer – Women’s Basketball
Sara Ritchie – Women’s Volleyball
Krista Rittenhouse – Cross Country, Track & Field
Adriana Santiago – Field Hockey
Meghan Schaefer – Cross Country
Juni Schirch – Cross Country, Track & Field
Jacob Shank – Men’s Soccer
Aaron Sloan – Track & Field
Kayla Smeltzer – Women’s Volleyball
Aaron Springer – Cross Country, Track & Field
Andre Swartzentruber – Men’s Golf
John Toney – Men’s Golf
Alena Yoder – Women’s Volleyball
Andrew Yoder – Men’s Soccer
Kegan Yoder – Men’s Soccer
Tyler Yoder – Men’s Soccer
Michelle Zook – Field Hockey

The six honorees are: senior (Fork Union, VA/Louisa County) from men鈥檚 track & field,

junior (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) from baseball, junior (Elkton, VA/Spotswood) from softball, sophomore (Harrisonburg, VA/Broadway) from women鈥檚 track & field, freshman (Harrisonburg, VA/Harrisonburg) from women鈥檚 golf, and senior from (Keezletown, VA/Spotswood) men鈥檚 golf.

The 2013 ODAC/StellarOne Sportsmanship Teams are awarded to each of 11 spring sports sponsored by the conference.聽 This marks the fourth year the league has recognized these fine student-athletes for their excellence in sportsmanship.

“The conference prides itself on positive sportsmanship and encouraging student-athletes to lead by example,” said Brad Bankston, commissioner of the ODAC. “Each one of the honorees has been selected by the coaches in recognition of their conduct in the arena.”

The ODAC has a rich tradition in promoting fair play and good sportsmanship in each sport across the league.聽 The character of the conference鈥檚 student-athletes on and off the field is a representation of not only the individuals and teams, but also the institutions they play for.

鈥淎ll of us at StellarOne Bank are excited to be an official corporate sponsor, touching the lives of so many in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference,” said Angela Ross, chief branding officer for StellarOne.

Softball

Senior (Mt. Solon, VA/Fort Defiance) leaves with her first-ever All-ODAC First Team honor, as she was 91短视频’s triple crown winner, leading the team in batting, homeruns and RBIs.聽 Overall, Allman led the Lady Royals in nine offensive categories, hitting .422, on 49 hits, with eight homeruns, 11 doubles and 17 walks.聽 She also tied a program record with 46 RBIs in a season.聽 The infielder closes her career with five 91短视频 records: homeruns in season (9), RBIs in a season (46 鈥� tied with Karla Alderfer), career homeruns (31), career RBIs (151) and career walks (52).聽 Allman earned a spot on the All-ODAC First Team in the utility spot, as she played games at first base, second base and designated player this year.聽 This is her third time on an All-ODAC team.

High school teammates (Elkton, VA/Spotswood) and (Elkton, VA/Spotswood) earned nods to the All-ODAC Second Team.聽 Hensley, 91短视频’s shortstop, led the women and was sixth in the ODAC with 40 runs this year.聽 She came two short of 91短视频’s record of 42.聽 Hensley was second on the team with 45 hits and added some pop as well, with a career high six homeruns to go with ten doubles and two triples.聽 She was also on the Second Team as a freshman and Third Team last year.聽 Smith took a spot on the Second Team as an outfielder after on the First Team in 2011.聽 She played her best in the ODAC part of the season and finished with a .348 batting average, with eight doubles and four homeruns.聽 Smith was second on the team with 28 RBIs.聽 She also had a 6-3 record with one save and a 3.91 ERA as a pitcher.

The Lady Royals also had three new players land on the All-ODAC Third Team.聽 Sophomore (Crimora, VA/Fort Defiance), a transfer from Lynchburg College, took over as 91短视频’s starting center fielder and lead-off hitter.聽 She was third on the team with 44 hits and batted .336 with a team-best eight stolen bases.聽 Freshmen (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) and (Elkton, VA/East Rockingham) rounded out 91短视频’s honorees.聽 Miller, as designated player, was second on the team with a .404 batting average, adding four homeruns and 17 RBIs.聽 She was also second in on-base percentage and third in slugging percentage.聽 Cash earned her spot as the third baseman, and had a team high seven sacrifices.聽 She tied for second on the team in stolen bases, going a perfect five-for-five.聽 Cash was also fourth with 25 runs scored.

Eastern Mennonite’s young team finished the 2013 season 21-19 overall and 9-11 in the ODAC.聽 They had a number of big wins during the year, including three over nationally ranked teams.聽 The Lady Royals swept Lynchburg to end the regular season, and also handed No. 1 Salisbury one of their two losses.

Baseball

The Royals had two players honored to 2013 All-ODAC teams, with both catcher (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) and first baseman (Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) named to the Third Team.聽 Both players are juniors at 91短视频.

Estrada, also an ODAC All-Academic Team member, led the Royals in a number of offensive categories, as well as catching for a pitching staff which shaved nearly two full runs off its team ERA this spring and led the ODAC in strikeouts per game (7.08).聽 Estrada had team highs with his 17 doubles (fourth-best season in 91短视频 history), two homeruns, 34 RBIs and .500 slugging percentage.聽 He was also second with 50 hits and a .333 batting average.聽 Estrada was third in the ODAC in doubles, and fifth in both RBIs and sacrifice flies.

Posey responded very well to a big move this year.聽 After concentrating on pitching only his first two seasons, the junior added playing first and batting to his repertoire.聽 He hit from the leadoff spot all season and led 91短视频 with a .367 batting average, 54 hits and 35 runs scored.聽 His .460 on-base percentage easily led 91短视频 and was fifth in the ODAC.聽 Posey displayed a judicial eye at the plate, earning 19 walks compared to just eight strikeouts.聽 He also had a 4-3 record from the hill, with a 2.81 ERA in 10 starts.

Despite a cold spell to end the season, Eastern Mennonite finished with their most wins since 2002, coming in at 15-24.

91短视频 8, Hampden-Sydney 3
The Royals scored the first run of the game in the top of the second, but HSC answered with single runs in the second and third to jump ahead, 2-1.

The men used small ball to take over in the sixth.聽 Two singles and a sacrifice put runners on the second and third, and (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) had the clutch two-out hit, scoring both runners to put 91短视频 up 3-2.

(West Point, VA/Christchurch) had an RBI single in the seventh and (Miramar, FL/Pace) knocked in two more with a single in the eighth.聽 Back-to-back RBI doubles from (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) and (Greenville, VA/Riverheads) gave the Royals their final runs in the 8-3 win.

(Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) went the distance from the hill to improve to 4-0.聽 He scattered seven hits, struck out three and allowed two earned runs.

Five men each had two hits in 91短视频’s 13-hit attack.聽 Rodriguez was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run.聽 Estrada rapped a pair of doubles with a run and an RBI.聽 (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) singled twice and scored twice.聽 Mortimer was 2-5 with two RBIs and a run, while Posey also singled twice and scored.

91短视频 7, Hampden-Sydney 0
Senior (Henrico, VA/Varina) was in control from the mound in game two, holding the Tigers to just five hits in a complete game shutout.聽 It was his third complete game shutout of the year, and his first of the nine-inning variety, as he improved to 4-2.

The offense took advantage of five Hampden-Sydney errors as five of the seven runs were unearned.聽 91短视频 played great small ball again in the game, as all eight of their hits were singles and they had four walks and two sacrifices.

Posey and Rodriguez each singled and walked and scored twice.

With the impressive wins, the Royals improve to 13-10 overall and 3-3 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.聽 Next up is a non-conference date with Averett on Tuesday in Harrisonburg.聽 Although there have been different start times mentioned, the correct first pitch will be at 4 p.m.

91短视频 5, MCLA 2

Both teams played small ball to a 2-2 tie after four innings of play. The Royals finally broke through in their final at-bat of the seven-inning contest.

Austin Oliver (Gordonsville, VA/Orange County) led off with a single, and two batters later Ryan McAlister (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) hit a clutch two-run single to put 91短视频 up 4-2. Kyle Armstrong (Greenville, VA/Riverheads) added an RBI single to provide the final 5-2 tally.

Adam Posey (Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to complete the win. He gave up one earned run on four hits to improve to 3-0.

Armstrong led the offense with a pair of singles and a walk. McAlister had the big two-run hit in the seventh and Justin Rodriguez (Miramar, FL/Pace) reached base twice with a single and a walk.

91短视频 9, MCLA 0

The Royals methodically scored in four of their six at-bats in the second game of the twin bill to secure the shutout.

Daniel Stanley (Henrico, VA/Varina) was untouchable from the hill and struck out 10 while allowing only four hits. He didn’t walk a batter. The senior is now 3-2 on the year.

McAlister was 2-3 with a walk and two runs. B.J. Mortimer (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) had a pair of sacrifice flies and scored a run. Zach Bowles (Staunton, VA/Robert E. Lee) was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run while Oliver and Phillip Jordan (West Point, VA/Christchurch) each had a pair of RBIs as well. Rodriguez scored twice.

91短视频 7, Wittenberg 5

The Royals also had a win over Wittenberg on Thursday, jumping to a 5-0 lead and holding on for the decision. Armstrong got the final out for the save while Casey Harlow (Louisa, VA/Louisa County) pitched the first 5.2 innings for the win. Harlow struck out six and allowed two runs on four hits.

Oliver led the offense with two hits and two RBIs. Jordan and Jonathan Estrada (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) each went 1-3 with an RBI.

After the drive back from Florida, Eastern Mennonite has a couple of days off before they take on new Old Dominion Athletic Conference opponent Shenandoah at home next Wednesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in Harrisonburg.

91短视频 9, Mount Saint Vincent 1
The men pounded out 13 hits in the opener and jumped ahead in the bottom of the first when (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) ripped a two-run triple.聽 (Staunton, VA/Robert E. Lee) added a run-scoring triple in the third to make it 4-0.

(Greenville, VA/Riverheads) jumped on the three bagger parade in the sixth, as his two-run triple highlighted a five-run frame.

The visiting Dolphins got their only run on a one-out groundout in the seventh.

(Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) improves to 2-0 with the complete game win, as he struck out seven and scattered three hits.

Estrada finished 3-4 with three runs and two RBIs, as the catcher was a homer short of hitting for the cycle.聽 (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) was 2-3 with two RBIs and a run while Armstrong went 2-4 with two RBIs and a run.聽 (Miramar, FL/Pace) walked and singled and scored twice.

91短视频 16, Mount Saint Vincent 2
The men picked up their second 16-2 win of the season in the nightcap, pounding out 17 hits.聽 They scored at least one run in each of the six innings the offense came to the plate.

(Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) had the biggest swing, ripping a two-run homer in the sixth.聽 It was the junior’s first homerun of his collegiate career.

Mortimer keyed the attack out of the five-spot, batting 3-5 with four runs scored and two RBIs.聽 Armstrong missed the cycle by a homer and finished 4-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run.聽 Posey had a double and three walks, and scored four times.

McAlister, Estrada and Bowles each had two hits.

(Henrico, VA/Varina) threw the first six innings and improved to 2-1.聽 91短视频’s ace struck out eight Dolphins.聽 Armstrong struck out a pair as he pitched the seventh.

Eastern Mennonite is now on a four-game winning streak.聽 The men have also won five of their last six to move two games over .500.聽 The Royals open conference play next weekend, playing a pair at Emory & Henry on Saturday before heading to Florida for the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational the following week.

“(I expect) a team that is fundamental in what we do, competes every time out no matter who we are playing, understands the importance of hard work year round, and plays hard every day,” he explained.聽 “I have placed a big emphasis on making the routine play, pitchers throwing strikes, and staying within our ability level in what we do.”

Spotts, who was a long-time assistant at the perennial power of neighboring Bridgewater College, sees positive signs already.

“I am excited as we begin the 2013 season,” he said. 聽“The players have done what I have asked them to do since day one in the fall season and have been eager to learn and move this program forward in a positive direction.”

Despite having one of the best offensive seasons in program history, Eastern Mennonite finished 11-27 last spring.聽 The Royals batted .335 as a team, and broke 91短视频 team records for hits, triples and at bats.聽 Gone from that team, however, are All-ODAC performers Dylan Smith, Beau Banglesdorf and Chris Rodriguez.

Spotts feels like he still has good group of offensive players returning.

“I think we can expect some consistency throughout our lineup,” he said.聽 “We lost some hitters to graduation who had good numbers but I feel we will have a solid approach every day and hope to be very aggressive on the bases.”

All-ODAC Second Team third basemen (Miramar, FL/Pace), who was an ODAC Rookie of the Year candidate last spring, returns after batting .374 with four homeruns and 41 RBIs in his freshman campaign.聽 Senior outfielder (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) also returns.聽 He was among national leaders with his 12 sacrifices last year, adding a .304 batting average.

Junior (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) is back at second base after batting .312 with eight sacrifices and a team high ten stolen bases.聽 Also anchoring the returners are junior catcher (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) with his .310 batting average along with senior outfielder (West Point, VA/Christchurch) and a .429 batting clip.

Spotts thinks that experienced core will help lead his team.

“I feel we will have a solid team defensively who can make the routine play, an offense that I think can be consistent one through nine, and three veteran starters on the mound,” he said.

The returning base of pitchers is a bit smaller, but does give 91短视频 some experience.

As a junior transfer last spring, (Henrico, VA/Varina) led the Royals in starts, innings and strikeouts while tying for team highs in wins and complete games.聽 He charted a 2-4 record with a 6.25 ERA.聽 Classmate (Louisa, VA/Louisa County) was also 2-4 last year with a save, notching a team best 4.28 ERA.聽 (Poquoson, VA/Poquoson) finished 1-3 with a complete game as a sophomore.

The trio of right handers will be the top three of Spott’s pitching rotation.聽 As a team, the Royals struggled to stop opponents in 2012, giving up a .345 batting average with a 7.81 ERA.

“I know this is a big question mark for our team this year,” Spotts acknowledged.聽 聽“I have three veteran guys who will be in a starting role so I am looking for them to log some innings and give us a good start every time out.聽 Coach (Bill) Buracker has done a good job with our pitching staff on giving them a solid plan every day to improve.”

With pitching depth being an issue at 91短视频 for a number of years, Spotts knows it will be hard to turn that issue around in one year.

“We have placed a big emphasis on throwing strikes and competing every day on the mound,” he said.聽 “It takes time to build a staff that has the needed depth and roles for a 40-game schedule, but I am excited in what this year’s staff can bring if they are consistent every time they go on the mound.”

Among the newcomers to the team this year, two of the expected impact players will help give 91短视频 depth on the mound and in the field: sophomore Mary Washington-transfer (Greenville, VA/Riverheads) and freshman (Gordonsville, VA/Orange County).聽 (Fredericksburg, VA/Stafford), a sophomore transfer from St. Andrews University, will see time at shortstop.

While the Royals aren’t expecting to win the ODAC this year, they are expecting to build towards that.

“Our goals are to get better every day and understand the work it takes to build a championship program,” explained Spotts, “to learn to compete and play hard every day, and to make the conference tournament.”

After being picked to finish last out of 11 teams in the ODAC Preseason Poll, Eastern Mennonite will be looking to turn some heads this spring.聽 Spotts’ former team, Bridgewater, was picked first in the poll, followed a vote behind by Lynchburg and one more tally behind by ODAC-newcomer Shenandoah.

Spotts says that as the Royals aim for that upper echelon, an expectation to work hard is the place to start.

“This year is a new direction,” he said. 聽“There is a foundation that is being laid this year for the future on what it takes and means to be a college-level baseball player and to compete every time we step on the field.”

91短视频 opens the season Saturday, Feb. 2, with a doubleheader at North Carolina Wesleyan in Rocky Mount, NC.聽 They play a single game at Ferrum College on Sunday.

Each of 91短视频鈥檚 sports was represented on the ODAC All-Academic Team except for men鈥檚 volleyball, which competes in the Continental Volleyball Conference.聽 The CVC will also release an all-academic team later this summer.

The full ODAC All-Academic Team eclipsed 1,000 student-athletes for the sixth consecutive year and set a new high-water mark for conference honorees for the third year in a row.聽 With representatives from each of the 17 ODAC institutions (including Catholic University for football only, Greensboro College and Notre Dame of Maryland University for swimming only, and Shenandoah University for field hockey and track & field only), 1,350 student-athletes earned recognition on the 2011-12 ODAC All-Academic Team.

Eligibility for the ODAC All-Academic Team is open to any student-athlete that competes in a conference-sponsored sport, regardless of academic class.聽 He or she must achieve at least a 3.25 grade point average for the year to be considered for an ODAC All-Academic Award.

For more information, visit the ODAC鈥檚 home on the Internet at聽. 聽Don鈥檛 forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook (click聽) and follow聽聽on Twitter.

The entire list of Royals named to the ODAC All-Academic Team is listed below.聽 to see the full list of the ODAC All-Academic Team.

Nels Akerson – Cross Country
Elizabeth Alderfer – Cross Country
Laura Beckler – Women’s Soccer
Bradley Billings 鈥� Baseball
Jennifer Blankenship – Women’s Basketball
Rachel Breeden 鈥� Softball
Carol Brinkley – Field Hockey
Bethany Crouse – Women’s Soccer
Mary Beth Danaher – Field Hockey
Jenessa Derstine – Field Hockey
Erica Detweiler – Women’s Soccer
Allison Eanes – Cross Country
Katie Eckman – Cross Country
Ryan Eshleman – Men’s Soccer
Jonathan Estrada 鈥� Baseball
Daniel Friesen – Men’s Soccer
Lynae Fry – Women’s Volleyball
Jessica Goertzen – Women’s Volleyball
Naomi Good – Women’s Soccer
Bethany Hench – Field Hockey
Brooke Hensley 鈥� Softball
Jordan Hollinger – Men’s Soccer
David Hooley – Men’s Soccer
Phillip Jordan 鈥� Baseball
Rachel Kennel – Women’s Soccer
Justin King 鈥� Baseball
Lanae Kreider – Women’s Soccer
Valerie Landis – Field Hockey
Mattie Lehman – Women’s Volleyball, Softball
Owen Longacre – Men’s Basketball
Jenna Longenecker – Field Hockey
Becca Longenecker – Field Hockey
Mark Mast – Men’s Soccer
Thomas Millary – Cross Country, Track & Field
Michelle Miller – Women’s Soccer
Katarina Napfel 鈥� Softball
Peter Nelson – Cross Country
Cara Paden – Women’s Soccer, Track & Field
Jesse Parker – Cross Country, Track & Field
Stephanie Rheinheimer – Women’s Basketball
Andy Richter 鈥� Baseball
Sara Ritchie – Women’s Volleyball
Bryce Shank – Men’s Soccer
Jacob Shank – Men’s Soccer
Amber Shelly – Women’s Soccer
Aaron Sloan – Track & Field
Kayla Smeltzer – Women’s Volleyball
Raquel Stoltzfus – Women’s Soccer
Scotty Tiosso – Men’s Soccer
Jon Trice 鈥� Baseball
Keri Weaver – Cross Country
Kori Wenger – Women’s Soccer
Taylor Wenger – Women’s Soccer
Camille Williams – Field Hockey
Roberto Wingfield – Cross Country
Bianca Ygarza – Women’s Basketball
Andrew Yoder – Men’s Soccer
Marla Young – Women’s Basketball
Kelsey Zook – Women’s Soccer
Michelle Zook – Field Hockey
Marla zumFelde – Women’s Basketball

Justin and Chris Rodriguez get it all the time: 鈥淎re you guy鈥檚 brothers?鈥�

Naturally, two Miami kids with the same last name and the same Cuban heritage who played at the same high school and are now on the same college baseball team more than 1,000 miles away from home must be related.

Nope.

But they do have this in common: The two freshmen are hammering baseballs for 91短视频 this season.

鈥淢y assistant and I were talking the other week,鈥� coach Jason Stuhlmiller said, 鈥渁nd we said, 鈥榃e wish we had eight other Rodr铆guezes鈥�. Just a team of Rodr铆guezes鈥�.鈥�

Justin, a 6-foot-1 third baseman with an angular jaw and sienna brown hair formed into a faux-hawk, leads the Royals (10-19) with a .412 batting average, four home runs and 38 RBIs through 29 games as 91短视频 heads into the final two weeks of the regular season. Chris, a 5-foot-7 outfielder with a rounder face and short, black hair, is hitting .393 with less power but plenty of pop. Justin bats right; Chris bats lefty. Justin hits third in the order, Chris leads off. Justin wears No. 25; Chris dons No. 6.

But again, for every difference, there鈥檚 a similarity.

They鈥檒l work anybody under the table,鈥� Stuhlmiller said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the hardest working kids in the weight room, on the field, off the field. That鈥檚 the kind of kid that we鈥檙e after in recruiting.鈥�

Stuhlmiller, in his first season as 91短视频鈥檚 head coach, has a connection with a recruiting agency in Miami, which is how he learned of the Rodr铆guezes鈥�, who both attended powerhouse Pace High School in Miramar, Fla.

Under coach Tom Duffin, 78 of 82 seniors to come through Pace have played collegiately or professionally. The team has been ranked No. 1 in the nation, and has featured players such as Washington Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez and first baseman Chris Marrerro, the Nats鈥� first round selection in 2006.

Certainly there were scouts watching the Rodr铆guezes鈥� play at Pace, but somehow, 鈥渂oth were flying under the radar as far as recruiting,鈥� Duffin said.

Neither received an offer to play at a Division I school. Justin said he probably could have walked on at Division II Barry University or St. Thomas University of the NAIA, 鈥渂ut here was a school that actually wanted me,鈥� he said of Division III 91短视频. 鈥淎nd I really wanted to go somewhere that really wanted me and where I would play.鈥�

They didn鈥檛 make the decision jointly, but the mutual interest helped both Justin and Chris choose to leave glitzy Miami for the tranquil Shenandoah Valley.

Duffin says it鈥檚 usually difficult for Miami kids to leave home. For one, Latin families are typically very tight-knit, and family-oriented.

鈥淢ommy spoils them,鈥� Duffin said, admitting that he鈥檚 generalizing. 鈥淢ommy wants them to stay home. 鈥oing to the Virginia area 鈥� it鈥檚 tough. It鈥檚 a culture shock. 鈥ot every kid can adjust to that.鈥�

Justin and Chris took the chance and traded their swimsuits for hiking boots. Each said he鈥檚 happy now, and for a similar reason.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot different from Miami,鈥� said Chris, a biology major and aspiring dentist. 鈥淨uiet and stuff. 鈥t first, it was hard to get used to it, but it鈥檚 good, especially for school. Because it鈥檚 calmer than Miami. Not as much going on.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 very different from Miami,鈥� Justin echoed. 鈥淚 get to concentrate more on my studies. It鈥檚 a friendly atmosphere; I guess you could say, I like it here.鈥�

Of course, it isn鈥檛 as hard to enjoy yourself when you鈥檙e rapping the ball like the Rodr铆guezes鈥�. Prior to a 6-5 loss at Washington & Lee on Wednesday, Chris had gone 16-for-26 (.615) in the previous five games, picking up multiple hits in each.

Justin, meanwhile has had multiple hits in each of his last seven games, going 16pfor-33 (.485) including all four of his home runs as well as 12 RBIs.

鈥淛ust practicing and sticking with my swing,鈥� Justin said is the reason behind his hot streak. 鈥淚 think my mental aspect is most of it. I feel confident up there.鈥�

The two players show up one and half hours before games to hone their swings by thumping balls off batting tees, according to Stuhlmiller. They, along with sophomore catcher Jonathan Estrada (from Doral, Fla.) and freshman outfielder Bryan Melendez (Lansdale, Pa.), form what the Royals call 鈥淭he Hispanic Connection.鈥�

Stuhlmiller, who also has a connection with Doral Academy, hopes to keep tapping the Miami area for overlooked talent.

鈥淭he game experience that they have 鈥� you can definitely tell in the way they play ball,鈥� he said. 鈥淧olished is probably the word, but it鈥檚 also that they know the game of baseball. 鈥hey just know how to play the game correctly.鈥�

The Royals committed three errors in the top of the second and fell behind their visitors 8-2.聽 Despite the early deficit, the men kept attacking and chiseled the lead down to 8-6 after three.

SVU scored a pair of unearned runs in the fourth, and added a two-run homer in the sixth, but the Royals again responded with a six-run deficit.

(Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) led off the bottom of the sixth with a single and the rest of the team followed suit.聽 After a walk, hit batter, and seven hits, Eastern Mennonite grabbed momentum with eight runs, jumping ahead 14-12.聽 (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) ripped a two-run triple in the inning, and (Miami, FL/Pace) also had a two-run three bagger which gave the Royals the lead.

Southern Virginia scored once in the seventh to get within 14-13.聽 The men responded by scoring three more times, and reliever (Louisa, VA/Louisa County) got a one-two-three inning in the eighth and a rally-killing double play in the ninth to save the win.

The Royals banged out 18 hits combined with seven walks to snap their seven-game losing streak.聽 Chris Rodriguez went 4-5 with a walk out of the leadoff spot.聽 He scored three times and added three RBIs while finishing a homerun short of the cycle.聽 (Stafford, VA/Mountain View) was 3-5 with a walk and was one of six men to score two or more times.聽 (Sterling, VA/Park View) was 2-4 with a walk, driving in a game high four runs while scoring twice.

(Miramar, FL/Pace) finished 2-4 with two walks and Estrada was 2-3 with two RBIs.聽 Both players scored two runs, as did (Waynesboro, VA/Fort Defiance).

(Williamsburg, VA/Lafayette) started for 91短视频 and took a no decision after getting chased in the second.聽 (Chesterfield, VA/Manchester), the men’s fourth pitcher, allowed two runs over 2.0 innings and earned the win to improve to 2-1.聽 Harlow struck out four and allowed one run for a three-inning save.

The Royals will look to improve their 1-6 ODAC record when they host Hampden-Sydney on Saturday.聽 The doubleheader starts at noon.

NC Wesleyan 5, 91短视频 2
In game one, the Royals jumped on the board in their first at-bat of the year.聽 Freshman (Lansdale, PA/Christopher Dock) led off with a double to right.聽 He took third when (Sterling, PA/Park View) reach on a two-out error.聽 Smith was subsequently picked off first base, but he stayed in the pickle long enough for Melendez to touch home.

The Battling Bishops took the lead in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs.聽 But 91短视频 came right back in the third.

(Miami, FL/Pace) led off with a walk and scored when Melendez smacked his second double.聽 (Crozet, VA/Western Albemarle) sacrificed Melendez to third, but a pair of infield outs ended the frame with the score tied at 2-2.

North Carolina Wesleyan strung together three hits in the fifth to plate three runs and go back on top.聽 The men then got two runners on in the sixth, but a pair of fly balls ended the threat.

Melendez walked to lead off the Royal’s final chance in the seventh, but a double play emptied the bases and cut down the rally.

(Louisa, VA/Louisa County) took the opening day start and took the loss.聽 He gave up only six hits, but allowed five runs (four earned) while striking out four.聽 Freshman (Shippensburg, PA/Shippensburg) struck out two in his one inning.

Melendez had a successful debut, reaching base in all four of his trips to the plate and factoring in both of 91短视频’s runs.聽 He finished with two doubles and two walks, scoring one run and driving in the other.聽 Smith and (Selinsgrove, PA/Selinsgrove) had the other two of the men’s four hits.

91短视频 9, NC Wesleyan 1
The Royals were in control in the nine-inning nightcap.聽 (Miramar, FL/Pace) laced a two-run, two-out single in the men’s first at-bat, then brought in the first run of a three-run rally in the third by getting hit with a pitch.

The Battling Bishops scored their lone run on a two-out single in the fifth, but 91短视频 put up back-to-back two-spots in the 6^th and 7^th.聽 Melendez shot a two-run long ball to right to provide the final runs on the team’s first homerun of the year.

Eastern Mennonite had 10 hits in the second game, and junior transfer (Varina, VA/Varina) scattered five hits over seven innings in his 91短视频 debut.聽 He struck out six.聽 (New Market, VA/Stonewall Jackson) provided two inning of scoreless relief.

Melendez finished 2-5 with three runs and a pair of RBIs from his homer.聽 Smith had three hits including one double.

Justin Rodriguez finished with a pair of hits and four RBIs.聽 Sophomore (Miami, FL/Doral Academy) scored three runs.

The Royals, now 1-1, return to Harrisonburg for their home opener on Wednesday.聽 Mary Washington will come in for a single game at 3:00pm.