Lynchburg, Va. -- The Lynchburg softball team is set to host the Eastern Mennonite Royals in an ODAC doubleheader on Saturday, March 29. 

The Hornets have controlled the series between the two programs, winning nine of the last 10 meetings and 40 of the 53 since 2000. However, the Royals captured a victory in last year's second game of the doubleheader in Harrisonburg. 

Eastern Mennonite (8-9-1) comes to the Hill City with a three-game losing skid, dropping both games in their doubleheader against Mary Washington earlier this week for their first sweep of the season. 

The Royals entered this season ranked last in the ODAC preseason poll. This year's group has brought in a handful of new faces, adding six first-year student-athletes and two transfers.  

EMU has been exceptionally strong at the plate this season, tallying a team batting average of .335. Sophomore Meaghan Dean leads the team at the plate hitting .469 with eight extra-base hits and 15 RBIs. Meanwhile, in the circle, EMU has allowed their opposing batters to hit .335 as well, and the pitching staff has notched an ERA of 4.92.

Lynchburg (9-7) comes into this contest with four consecutive losses, all to top-15 opponents. In their most recent game, Lynchburg took No. 5 Virginia Wesleyan to 11 innings, falling 6-7. 

Fifth-year Lexi Powell continues to lead the team in batting average (.400) along with hits (20), runs (15), and OB% (.464).  

Following this matchup, Lynchburg heads to Winchester, Va. for a battle of the Hornets against Shenandoah (7-11) on Sunday, March 30. 

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--LYN--