Boxscore

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - It took a few more innings than expected, but the fifth-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles opened up their 2012 home and conference schedule with a 6-5 victory over the visiting Florida Memorial Lions in the 11th inning on Friday night. Chris Page hit a walkoff single off the wall in right field to score fellow senior Frankie Arias from third in the bottom of the final frame for ERAU (3-2, 1-0), dropping the Lions to 0-4-1 and 0-1 in league play.

The Lions jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top-half of the first thanks to some mental mistakes by the Eagle fielders. Ruddy Ruiz brought in the first run with a ground ball to third that was thrown away, allowing David Puello to run the final 90 feet after he stole both second and third. Ruiz, who had moved to second on the throwing error, also stole third and touched home on a groundout from Casey Johnston.

FMU's starter, Royfe Rodrigues, kept ERAU from cutting into the lead through the first three innings, including stranding all three runners the Eagles had put on in the first frame. However, Adam Paulencu settled in after the first for the Eagles, and the right-handed Canadian moved easily through the Lions' lineup through six frames.

The fourth inning proved once again to be beneficial to the Blue and Gold as the Eagles plated five runs on three hits and a Lion error to take a 5-2 lead. ERAU has now scored 19 runs in the fourth inning through the first five games of the year.

Jeff Lemon kickstarted the frame with a single to first base, followed by the second of three Tyler Robbins' walks on the evening. Greg Smith also earned a base-on-balls to load the bases for Arias. Ruiz, who had been playing shortstop, replaced Rodrigues on the mound, and appeared to get a double-play ball up the middle, but a fielding error by the new shortstop allowed all men to be safe, including both Lemon and Robbins at home, knotting the score at two runs apiece. Eagle catcher Adam Cellini hit a sacrifice fly to left center, bringing in Smith, before Ben Kline singled through the right side to score Arias. Kline stole second then traded places with Page when the first baseman doubled down the right field line to give ERAU their fifth run of the inning.

Paulencu pitched the next two frames without allowing a run, and left in the seventh, giving way to Robbie Ratliff. Ratliff was in complete command until the top of the ninth. After two outs had been recorded, Johnston and JC Gil both singled for FMU to put a pair of runners on and bringing the tying run to the plate in the form of Alejandro Diaz. After a meeting on the mound, Diaz took the first pitch from Ratliff over the wall in left field to tie the game up at 5-5.

ERAU couldn't get the winning run on in the ninth and the game was sent to extras where David Lidyard made his first appearance in an Eagle uniform.

Lidyard stranded a runner at second in the 10th, but again the Eagles couldn't find an answer for Ruiz who was still on the mound for Florida Memorial.

In the visitor-half of the 11th, Ruiz began the inning with a double down the right field line before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt from Johnston. Gil grounded out to Robbins at second, but Ruiz was unable to score on the play. Diaz walked in the next plate appearance for FMU and when he tried to steal second, Cellini threw down to Robbins at second who immediately went back to Cellini at home to gun down Ruiz and end the inning.

Arias walked to start the 11th and Cellini was able to beat out an infield single when he attempted to bunt Arias over. Kline moved Arias to third on a fly ball down the right field line and Page ended it with his single to right field, giving ERAU the 6-5 win.

Paulencu tossed six innings, gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits while fanning five. Ratliff pitched three frames for the hosts, striking out four, while Lidyard (1-0) earned the win, throwing the final two innings, giving up just one hit.

Ruiz (0-1) got the loss for the Lions, but was impressive in defeat, pitching seven innings in relief, giving up three runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out four.

Page went 3-for-6 with two RBIs, including the game-winner, while both Kline and Lemon collected two hits each.

The Eagles and Lions will meet tomorrow, Feb. 4, in a conference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.