Boxscore
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Despite an outstanding pitching performance from
Chad Modomo, the fifth-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles were unable to push across the winning run after drawing even in the fourth frame, eventually falling 4-3 in the 10th inning to SCAD Savannah. The Eagles drop to 14-5 overall and 8-2 in Sun Conference play while the Bees improve to 14-11 and 2-5.
Modomo got his first Friday start of the season, and delivered much more than a quality start for the visitors. After allowing a two-run double to Jonathan Andrews in the second frame, Modomo settled down, even though SCAD scratched across an unearned run in the third thanks to a defensive miscue by ERAU.
Mike Gragilla came around to score the first Eagle run in the third after he led off the frame with a double to right center.
Adam Cellini moved him over to third and
Jordan Romero brought the junior DH in with an RBI groundout to short.
Trailing 3-1 heading into the fourth, the Eagles tied the game up after
Frankie Arias began the inning by reaching first on a fielding error by SCAD SS Hunter Pope.
Ben Kline singled down the right field line to put Eagles on first and third with no outs.
Chris Page delivered his team-leading 27th RBI with a single through the right side, and
Ian MacGeorge knotted the score at 3-3 with a sacrifice to center field that scored Kline from third.
Modomo faced the minimum 18 batters from the fourth through the ninth inning, surrendering just one hit, but managing to get a double play to cut the runner down at second.
The Eagles had their best chance in the ninth when Kline singled through the left side to begin the inning. Page flied out to center for the first out of the frame, and MacGeorge grounded into a fielder's choice in the next at-bat that resulted in Kline being called out at second base.
JT Warmoth kept the ERAU hopes alive with a single down the right field line that moved MacGeorge to third, however, as MacGeorge was heading home he slipped on his way back to third and was called out for the final out of the ninth.
Modomo went out for his 10th inning of work but surrendered a leadoff single to Andrews. Carson Parker bunted the runner to second and
David Lidyard came in to relieve Modomo after 9.1 innings. Lidyard walked Kelvin Goodson before facing Pope. Pope swung at the first pitch he saw and connected with the ball, driving it off the wall in right field, scoring the runner from second and giving SCAD the 4-3 victory.
Modomo was the tough-luck loser, falling to 4-1, however, the Winter Park, Fla. native tossed 9.1 solid innings, giving up just seven hits, four runs (three earned), while fanning six. It was Modomo's third quality start of the season.
The Eagles and Bees will face off in a doubleheader tomorrow, Mar. 3 at 12 p.m. Rain is threatening to fall in Savannah tomorrow, updates will be provided here at www.erauathletics.com. You can also sign up for free SMS messages
HERE, or follow
@ERAUBaseball on Twitter.
