With the wins, Eastern Mennonite jumps from seventh in the conference standings into a tie for fifth. The top six teams will make the ODAC Tournament, a feat 91����Ƶ last accomplished in 2002.

The Royals are 9-9 in league play, tied with Roanoke at 8-8, although the men now hold the head-to-head tie-breaker between the two. Lynchburg sits just behind them at 7-8. 91����Ƶ plays two more conference games, ending the season with a twin bill at second-place Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday. Roanoke has four games left, including a game at Lynchburg, while LC still has five league games to play, with the final one next Sunday.

91����Ƶ 5, Roanoke 2
After pre-game Senior Recognition ceremonies, the day’s high spirits were dampened by an early confusing play. Just three batters in, Roanoke’s Craig Kiley lofted a ball deep to left, and����(Greenville, Va./Riverheads) crashed into the outfield fence trying to make the catch. Despite the great effort by Armstrong, he couldn’t make the play and it was discovered the ball somehow got over the fence.�� After some discussion, the umpires ruled it a homerun, giving the Maroons a 2-0 lead.

But the Royals quickly took the momentum back, starting their first inning with a walk and back-to-back singles to score a run.�� A sacrifice fly tied it at 2-2, and����(Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) knocked a clutch two-out, two-RBI single to left, flipping 91����Ƶ in front, 4-2.

Starting pitcher����(Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) settled down on the mound and proceeded to allow just four more hits through 7.0 innings of work.

A Roanoke error in the fourth helped the men score, as Armstrong hit an RBI groundout to bump the lead to 5-2.

Brown handed the ball over to ��(Shippensburg, Pa./Shippensburg) in the eighth, and the big righthander allowed just one baserunner as he struck out three to earn a two-inning save. The game fittingly ended on a great play in the outfield, as a diving catch by Armstrong in the left-center gap closed a 1-2-3 ninth.

Along with a couple of airborne catches in the outfield, Armstrong led at the plate as well, batting 2-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.����(Miramar, Fla./Monsignor Edward Pace) was 2-3 with a walk and run, while Mathews and����(Bedford, Va./Staunton River) each had a pair of hits as well.

Brown struck out five and improved to 3-4 with the win, while Marzullo tied for the ODAC lead with his fourth save of the season.

91����Ƶ 11, Roanoke 9
The Royals looked destined for a sweep with a quick start in the second game. Rodriguez had three RBIs and Love sent a two-run bomb over the scoreboard in left field for the men’s first homerun of the season, as 91����Ƶ led 5-0 after two.

Roanoke quickly tied it with a five spot in the third, however, doing the final damage with a three-run homer to left, chasing starter����(New Market, Va./Stonewall Jackson).

91����Ƶ went back ahead thanks to a two-out error in the bottom of the frame, but the Maroons got a pair of two-out RBIs in the fourth to get in front.�� The teams traded single runs in the fifth, leaving the visitors on top 8-7.

�������𱹱������(Sugar Creek, Ohio/Hiland) finally provided some stability on the mound, entering in the sixth and retiring six straight batters.�� Meanwhile RC’s reliever broke down in the bottom of the sixth, issuing back-to-back walks to start the inning.�� The Maroons botched a sacrifice play from the Royals, loading the bases with nobody out.�� One run scored on a wild pitch, another on a single from Mathews and a third on a sacrifice fly from����(Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford), as 91����Ƶ regained control, 10-8.

Rodriguez ripped an RBI double in the seventh, making it 11-8.

Marzullo returned to the hill in the eighth, and allowed one run in his second appearance of the day.����(Gladys, Va./Rustburg) then entered in the ninth, and after a leadoff walk he got three straight outs to lock up the win and earn his second save.

Weaver picked up his first win in an 91����Ƶ uniform with his big-time performance in the sixth and seventh innings.

The offense had 12 hits and six walks, with each position player either scoring or driving in a run. Rodriguez had a big game, going 3-4 with a walk and four RBIs. Carroll was 2-3 with a walk, scoring time times and knocking in another. Hall reached base three times with a pair of singles and a walk while Love had two RBIs on his big homerun.

At 15-14 overall, the Royals step out of conference play for two games during the week. The men host The Apprentice School Tuesday at 4 p.m. in their final home game before playing at Messiah College at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

91����Ƶ 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.�� 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.�� (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).�� 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.�� The senior also started on the mound and pitched 6.1 innings for a no decision.�� Only three of the runs were earned and Posey struck out nine batters.�� (Carroll, Va./Carroll) earned the win by giving up just the one walk with four strikeouts in 2.2 innings.

91����Ƶ 14, Clark 6
Next up, the Royals resumed a doubleheader with Clark University.�� The Cougars had led 5-1 when the rains had ended play the day before.�� 91����Ƶ 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.�� 91����Ƶ scored 12 runs to surge in front 12-5, with Hedrick knocking a pair of two-run singles in the inning.�� (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.�� (Miramar, Fla./Monsignor Edward Pace) was 3-4 with three runs.�� Hedrick was 2-4 with a walk and four RBIs, while (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) added three RBIs.�� Every starter reached base at least twice for the men.

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

91����Ƶ 6, Clark 3
The bats kept rolling in the nightcap as Eastern Mennonite jumped to a 6-1 lead.�� Armstrong had a two-run single in the first.�� 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.�� Henschel started and allowed all of the runs in 4.2 innings, although only one was earned.�� Salladay struck out three in 2.1 innings of hitless relief.

Hedrick and Armstrong were each 2-4 with two RBIs.�� Posey and McAlister each scored twice.�� (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.�� Last year, 91����Ƶ 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.�� Despite finishing with the most wins since 2002 last spring, the Royals will be looking for a better conference season this time around.

91����Ƶ 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.�� 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����Ƶ 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.�� 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.�� He scattered seven hits, struck out three and allowed two earned runs.

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

91����Ƶ 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.�� 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.�� 91����Ƶ 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.�� Next up is a non-conference date with Averett on Tuesday in Harrisonburg.�� Although there have been different start times mentioned, the correct first pitch will be at 4 p.m.

91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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.�� (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.�� (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) was 2-3 with two RBIs and a run while Armstrong went 2-4 with two RBIs and a run.�� (Miramar, FL/Pace) walked and singled and scored twice.

91����Ƶ 16, Mount Saint Vincent 2
The men picked up their second 16-2 win of the season in the nightcap, pounding out 17 hits.�� 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.�� 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.�� Armstrong missed the cycle by a homer and finished 4-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run.�� 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.�� 91����Ƶ’s ace struck out eight Dolphins.�� Armstrong struck out a pair as he pitched the seventh.

Eastern Mennonite is now on a four-game winning streak.�� The men have also won five of their last six to move two games over .500.�� 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.�� “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. ��“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.�� The Royals batted .335 as a team, and broke 91����Ƶ team records for hits, triples and at bats.�� 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.�� “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.�� Senior outfielder (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) also returns.�� 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.�� 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����Ƶ 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.�� He charted a 2-4 record with a 6.25 ERA.�� Classmate (Louisa, VA/Louisa County) was also 2-4 last year with a save, notching a team best 4.28 ERA.�� (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.�� 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.�� ��“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.�� 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����Ƶ 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.�� “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����Ƶ depth on the mound and in the field: sophomore Mary Washington-transfer (Greenville, VA/Riverheads) and freshman (Gordonsville, VA/Orange County).�� (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.�� 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. ��“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����Ƶ opens the season Saturday, Feb. 2, with a doubleheader at North Carolina Wesleyan in Rocky Mount, NC.�� They play a single game at Ferrum College on Sunday.

Banglesdorf was named one of the three First Team outfielders, as he led or co-led Eastern Mennonite in eight offensive categories, including a .395 batting average, .618 slugging percentage and 35 runs scored.�� The senior was second on the team with 27 RBIs.�� Banglesdorf’s stats also held up in comparison to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, as at the end of the regular season he was second in the ODAC with 18 doubles, third with 97 total bases and fourth with his slugging percentage.

Rodriguez had a phenomenal rookie season at third base and was the only freshman position player on the first or second All-Region Teams.�� He batted .374 with team highs of 41 RBIs and four homeruns, while adding 28 runs.�� At times during the season, Rodriguez was among national leaders in RBIs and he finished third in the ODAC in the category.�� He was also tenth in the ODAC with a .561 slugging percentage.

The Royals broke their program record with 447 hits as a team and topped the ODAC with a .335 batting average.�� They finished with a record of 11-27 and 4-14 in league play.

Including Banglesdorf and Rodriguez, only eight ODAC players were voted onto the region’s top three teams.

presented the awards, which are based on academic achievement, athletic contribution, Christian commitment, leadership, campus involvement and service, as the culmination of the evening.

Richter, a major with a 3.64 GPA, was a four-year pitcher for the baseball team and plans to work in a sales or marketing position.�� He was consistently on the Old Dominion Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and 91����Ƶ’s Dean’s List.�� Besides baseball, his campus life was filled with leadership on , 91����Ƶ Royals Society and the .�� He also volunteered at numerous places off campus.

“You are not an athlete just when you’re in season – you’re an athlete year round,” Richter explained in how he balanced his demanding schedule at 91����Ƶ.�� “Baseball provided me with the discipline I needed to enjoy a busy, but incredibly rewarding college career.”

Young, a captain with the women’s basketball team, was also on the Dean’s List and ODAC All-Academic Team, holding a 3.71 GPA with a major in and minor in .�� She was a four-year member of Royals Society, helping with prospective students, as well as being a member of the .�� Young was also a youth leader at her church and volunteered with a local food bank and the fall back-to-school backpack drive.

“Being a student-athlete has taught me to be mentally and physically strong in seemingly impossible situations,” said Young, who suffered a long-lasting shoulder injury her freshman season.�� “God used basketball as the framework that I could grow in my relationship with Him, share my talents with others, and now go on to pursue a career in physical therapy.”

The Athletic Department staff also voted for Athlete of the Year winners.�� Mitchell Leap (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) claimed the men’s honor with Bianca Ygarza (Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) taking the women’s.

Leap led the men’s soccer team in scoring for the fourth straight season, netting ten goals, which was also third-best in the conference.�� He had five game-winning goals and was named All-ODAC First Team.�� Leap graduates fourth in 91����Ƶ history with 35 career goals and fifth with 80 career points.�� Ygarza was a dynamic presence as a power forward for the basketball women, earning a spot on the All-ODAC First Team as a sophomore.�� She led 91����Ƶ with 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and was second in the ODAC in field goal percentage and free throws.

Also at the banquet, Newcomer of the Year Awards were given to Jenessa Derstine (Harleysville, PA/Christopher Dock) in field hockey and Justin Rodriguez (Miramar, FL/Pace) in baseball.

Derstine, an attacker for the Lady Royals, led the team with 29 points this year.�� She scored ten goals and assisted on nine others.�� Her speed helped ignite 91����Ƶ’s offense and landed her on the All-ODAC Third Team.�� Rodriguez batted .374 with 28 runs and team highs of four homeruns and 41 RBIs.�� His RBI total was third in the ODAC during the regular season and the third baseman was named All-ODAC Second Team.

As part of the dinner and banquet, four seniors gave short reflections on their time playing a sport at Eastern Mennonite: Valerie Landis (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) from field hockey, Justin King (Lititz, PA/Warwick) from baseball, Pete Nelson (Harrisonburg, VA/Christopher Dock) from track and cross country, and Brent Yoder (Sarasota, FL/Sarasota Christian) from soccer.

King uniquely talked about playing four years of a collegiate sport even though the experience was not living up to the ideas he had beforehand.

“I have learned a lesson I would have not chosen to learn on my own, because it was painful,” said King.�� “Through the ups and downs, the wins and losses, I have had to rely on God as my source of hope and strength when I was weak, discouraged, or overwhelmed.�� The Apostle Paul says it best in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, ‘Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.�� But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’’”

Landis was the lone senior on the field hockey team this fall and stepped into a leadership role which was not natural to her.�� She said that will help her as she leaves college.

“I recognize that I am going to be a new member of a completely different team after graduation,” Landis explained. ��“What I have learned over the past four years is that I can’t let my age or lack of experience hinder me from being responsible or taking initiative. ��God has granted each of us the experience of being part of a team and it is my hope that we are able to leave this community as an athlete and a graduate and apply those interpersonal skills learned on either the court or field and apply them in the next stage of life, appropriately and meaningfully.”

Dr. Ronald Stoltzfus, Faculty Athletic Representative, and Dr. Nancy Heisey, Undergraduate Academic Dean, presented the Academic Achievement Awards to each team’s individual with the highest GPA.�� Those awards went to: Richter and Brad Billings (Selinsgrove, PA/Selinsgrove) in baseball, Jennifer Blankenship (Bassett, VA/Bassett) in women’s basketball, Owen Longacre (Telford, PA/Christopher Dock) in men’s basketball, Nels Akerson (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) in men’s cross country, Alli Eanes (Harrisonburg, VA/Westmont Hilltop) in women’s cross country and track, Jenna Longenecker (Lancaster, PA/Conestoga Valley) in field hockey, Bryce Shank (Harrisonburg, VA/Eastern Mennonite) in men’s soccer, Erica Detweiler (Hickory, NC/Fred T. Foard) in women’s soccer, Aaron Sloan (Ooltewah, TN/McCallie School) in men’s track, and Kendall Garber (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) in men’s volleyball.

The evening included a special mention of , a senior student worker with the athletic events staff, who had passed away from cancer just a week prior to the banquet.

Justin and Chris Rodriguez get it all the time: “Are you guy’s brothers?”

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����Ƶ this season.

“My assistant and I were talking the other week,” coach Jason Stuhlmiller said, “and we said, ‘We wish we had eight other Rodríguezes’. Just a team of Rodríguezes’.”

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����Ƶ 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’s a similarity.

They’ll work anybody under the table,” Stuhlmiller said. “They’re the hardest working kids in the weight room, on the field, off the field. That’s the kind of kid that we’re after in recruiting.”

Stuhlmiller, in his first season as 91����Ƶ’s head coach, has a connection with a recruiting agency in Miami, which is how he learned of the Rodríguezes’, 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’ first round selection in 2006.

Certainly there were scouts watching the Rodríguezes’ play at Pace, but somehow, “both were flying under the radar as far as recruiting,” 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, “but here was a school that actually wanted me,” he said of Division III 91����Ƶ. “And I really wanted to go somewhere that really wanted me and where I would play.”

They didn’t 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’s usually difficult for Miami kids to leave home. For one, Latin families are typically very tight-knit, and family-oriented.

“Mommy spoils them,” Duffin said, admitting that he’s generalizing. “Mommy wants them to stay home. …Going to the Virginia area – it’s tough. It’s a culture shock. …Not every kid can adjust to that.”

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

“It’s a lot different from Miami,” said Chris, a biology major and aspiring dentist. “Quiet and stuff. …At first, it was hard to get used to it, but it’s good, especially for school. Because it’s calmer than Miami. Not as much going on.”

“It’s very different from Miami,” Justin echoed. “I get to concentrate more on my studies. It’s a friendly atmosphere; I guess you could say, I like it here.”

Of course, it isn’t as hard to enjoy yourself when you’re rapping the ball like the Rodríguezes’. 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.

“Just practicing and sticking with my swing,” Justin said is the reason behind his hot streak. “I think my mental aspect is most of it. I feel confident up there.”

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 “The Hispanic Connection.”

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

“The game experience that they have – you can definitely tell in the way they play ball,” he said. “Polished is probably the word, but it’s also that they know the game of baseball. …They just know how to play the game correctly.”

The Royals committed three errors in the top of the second and fell behind their visitors 8-2.�� 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.�� After a walk, hit batter, and seven hits, Eastern Mennonite grabbed momentum with eight runs, jumping ahead 14-12.�� (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.�� 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.�� Chris Rodriguez went 4-5 with a walk out of the leadoff spot.�� He scored three times and added three RBIs while finishing a homerun short of the cycle.�� (Stafford, VA/Mountain View) was 3-5 with a walk and was one of six men to score two or more times.�� (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.�� Both players scored two runs, as did (Waynesboro, VA/Fort Defiance).

(Williamsburg, VA/Lafayette) started for 91����Ƶ and took a no decision after getting chased in the second.�� (Chesterfield, VA/Manchester), the men’s fourth pitcher, allowed two runs over 2.0 innings and earned the win to improve to 2-1.�� 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.�� The doubleheader starts at noon.

Each team brought in a solo run in the first, with (Miramar, FL/Pace) bringing in 91����Ƶ’s on a sacrifice fly.�� The Mountaineers scored their second unearned run in the third, but the home team followed suit in the bottom of the inning when Chris Rodriguez (Miami, FL/Pace) scored as (Sterling, VA/Park View) was caught in a run-down between first and second.

Eastern Mennonite starter (Louisa, VA/Louisa County) continued sailing through the SVC lineup when he got some run support in the fifth.�� With an infield single and a pair of walks, 91����Ƶ had the bases loaded with two away.�� Justin Rodriguez ripped a double to right field, plating a pair of runs.�� Smith was out at home trying to score from first, and was ejected for his collision at the plate, but the Royals had the 4-2 edge.

Southern Vermont broke through in the seventh, tying the game with two runs on a bases loaded single.�� But Harlow limited the damage by getting a grounder to third for an inning-ending double play.

Christian Rodriguez led off the bottom of the seventh by beating out a single, but he sat on second with two outs.�� The Mountaineers should have escaped unscathed, but the left fielder dropped a fly ball from (Chesterfield, VA/Manchester) which would have ended the inning.�� A run scored to put the men ahead, but SVC imploded from there, committing two more errors and giving up three additional hits.

By the time the dust settled on the long inning, 91����Ƶ had sent 12 men to the plate and seven had scored, all unearned with two outs.�� The Royals led 11-5 and never gave up the lead.

Toney, who had replaced Smith at first, led off the eighth with a bomb over the left field wall, and the Mountaineers added a grand slam in the ninth, but Eastern Mennonite held on for the 12-9 decision.

The Royals only out-hit SVC by two, 15-13, but were helped by five Mountaineer errors.�� was a sparkplug from the bottom of the order, singling all four times he batted.�� The freshman scored three runs and knocked in one.

Justin Rodriguez went 3-4 with three RBIs and a run.�� Toney scored twice and (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) had two RBIs.�� (Stafford, VA/Mountain View) and (Waynesboro, VA/Fort Defiance) each added two hits to the balanced attack.

Harlow threw seven strong innings, allowing just two earned runs to get his first win of the year.�� (Crozet, VA/Western Albemarle) pitched 1-1/3 innings while Banglesdorf came in for the final two outs.

After scoring 45 runs in the weekend three-game sweep of Southern Virginia, Eastern Mennonite is now 4-5 overall.�� Next up the men step into ODAC play, traveling to Randolph-Macon for a doubleheader on Saturday.

NC Wesleyan 5, 91����Ƶ 2
In game one, the Royals jumped on the board in their first at-bat of the year.�� Freshman (Lansdale, PA/Christopher Dock) led off with a double to right.�� He took third when (Sterling, PA/Park View) reach on a two-out error.�� 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.�� But 91����Ƶ came right back in the third.

(Miami, FL/Pace) led off with a walk and scored when Melendez smacked his second double.�� (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.�� 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.�� He gave up only six hits, but allowed five runs (four earned) while striking out four.�� 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����Ƶ’s runs.�� He finished with two doubles and two walks, scoring one run and driving in the other.�� Smith and (Selinsgrove, PA/Selinsgrove) had the other two of the men’s four hits.

91����Ƶ 9, NC Wesleyan 1
The Royals were in control in the nine-inning nightcap.�� (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����Ƶ put up back-to-back two-spots in the 6^th and 7^th.�� 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����Ƶ debut.�� He struck out six.�� (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.�� Smith had three hits including one double.

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

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