Top 25 Moments of 2012-13

Over the month of July, the Top 25 Moments of the 2012-13 athletic season will be remembered each day, with the #1 moment being revealed on July 26th.

Oct. 13, 2012

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle Softball Stadium was officially opened to the public on Oct. 13, 2012 with grand opening festivities that featured an exhibition game against NCAA I Florida State. One of only two sporting events on Embry-Riddle's 2012 Homecoming calendar, Saturday's softball event drew close to 700 fans.
 
The evening activities began with a few words from Embry-Riddle University President Dr. John P. Johnson and Athletic Director Steve Ridder. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, featuring Dr. Johnson's wife Maurie, a strong advocate of programming for women at Embry-Riddle, Dr. Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch to freshman catcher and ERAU's first softball recruit Dee Espinosa.
 
"I thought the Grand Opening went really well," ERAU Head Coach Sarah Lockett said. "To have that many students, faculty and staff at the event was very exciting for us as coaches and for the players. We're very appreciative of the support we've received from Dr. and Mrs. Johnson, as well as Coach Ridder and the rest of the university."
 
The Eagles faced a tough test in their first ever game against outside competition, taking on a Florida State team that advanced to the NCAA I regional tournament in 2012 and finished ranked No. 22 in the final ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll last season. Second team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pitcher Lacey Waldrop combined with Jessica Nori to hold the Eagles to just three hits, while Stephanie Hartness and Briana Hamilton drove in three runs each in the 14-0 FSU win.
 
Alexis Estrada was the Eagles' starting pitcher and surrendered just three runs in the first four innings. She also got some help from her defense in the early stages of the game, including a play by Alex Wood who, after making a diving catch in center field, laid down a bunt single to register Embry-Riddle's first ever hit in softball.
 
"I'm very happy about how we executed some of the things we've been working on in our four weeks of practice," Lockett observed. "I was very happy with our pitchers; we gave up 12 infield hits against a very good hitting team. We fielded a brand new team with nine freshman against a Division I team that's ranked 22^nd in the country and although we were down, we didn't quit. I'm very proud of the way the girls handled the moment."

The Eagles went on to finish their inaugural season at 16-25 with an 8-8 league mark.