The Alfred State baseball team struggled defensively as they dropped a doubleheader at Eastern Mennonite to open the 2016 season. The Royals earned 21-4 and 29-7 victories to improve to 7-1 on the season.

EMU scored six runs in the 2nd and added 10 more in the 4th to take control of the game. Adam Marston was 3 for 4 with 4 RBI while Kyle Armstrong was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and earned the win on the mound with five innings of work.

Jose Martinez (Queens/Newtown) was the lone Pioneer with multiple hits in the opener. He finished 2 for 3 with 2 RBI. 

In the nightcap, the Royals put together a big 1st inning and never looked back. Griffin Stanley led their 17-hit attack with a 3 for 4 day. EMU also took advantage of ten Pioneer walks.

Robert Cardona (Harlem/All Hallows) led the Pioneers with a 3 for 5, 2 RBI day. Dan Woodward (Honeoye) was 2 for 2, Andy Pichardo (Corona/Academy of American Studies) was 2 for 3, and Cullen Franz (Cazenovia) was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI. Franz connected on a solo homer in the 4th. Rafael Perozo (Bronx/St. Raymond) also chipped in two hits, finishing 2 for 4 with a RBI.

The Pioneers and Royals complete their three-game series on Sunday with a Noon contest. The game is slated for nine innings.