BABSON PARK, Fla. – The eighth-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles got a strong pitching performance from Kevin Maloney and a two-run home run from Kevin Lindheim to take a 5-2 series-opening win over Webber International on Friday night. The Eagles (35-12, 18-4) moved to just one win away from clinching the program's 14^th Sun Conference regular season title thanks to St. Thomas' loss earlier in the day, while the Warriors (32-18, 16-9) stayed in a tie for third in the league standings.

The Eagles scored a run on a bizarre play in the top of the first when Jeff Lemon flied out to deep right, but the right fielder had trouble getting the ball out of his glove, and Colt Hankamer, who had doubled in the previous at-bat, tagged from second and scored, giving the visitors an early 1-0 lead. The Eagles threatened to score more with runners at second and third, but a groundout to third ended the scoring opportunity for the Blue and Gold, putting Kevin Maloney on the mound where he faced the minimum to send the Eagles back to the plate.

Mike Gragilla's leadoff single in the second went for naught, and the Warriors tied the game in the home-half of the frame on three consecutive singles, including a Ryan Regidor base knock back up the middle that scored Austin Aubuchon from third. With runners on first and second, Maloney got a ground ball that Hankamer and Jordan Romero were able to team-up on for one out, but Romero's throw was not in time to get the batter. Thankfully for the Eagles, the runner that advanced to third attempted to score on the play and Jordan Johnson's throw home was in plenty of time to conclude the twin killing.

Again the Eagles were able to put runners at second and third in the visitor-half of the third inning, but another groundout stranded the fourth and fifth runners of the evening for the Blue and Gold.
Chris Garcia left two more Eagles on the bases in the fourth, bringing the evening's total to seven for Embry-Riddle.

Adam Cellini ended the fourth by catching Aubuchon as he tried to steal second, sending the Eagles into the dugout and back to the dish.

Trey Huss collected the first Warrior hit since the second with a one-out single in the fifth, putting runners at first and second after Regidor drew a walk. A ground ball to second moved both runners up a base but Maloney got Billy Farrell swinging for the third out of the inning.

Garcia kept the Eagles quiet in the sixth before Trip Merrell doubled to deep left center with two outs in the next half-inning, drawing Dave Therneau to the mound. After the Eagles' pitching coach returned to the dugout Maloney got Aubuchon to groundout to second to end the threat.

Tim Tapia relieved Garcia to start the seventh, throwing two pitches to Kyle Chastain before hitting him with his third pitch. Hankamer sacrificed the Eagle centerfielder to second and Jeff Lemon came through with a double down the left field line that scored Chastain and giving the Eagles their first lead since the first inning. Kevin Lindheim recorded just the third home run of the season for the Eagles in the next at-bat, his first of the year, pushing the advantage to 4-1. Cellini nearly made it back-to-back homers when he took a pitch deep down the left field line, but the ball just went foul and Tapia was able to get out of the inning with two straight fly outs.

Maloney found himself in a jam in the last of the seventh, but thanks to a nifty 6-3 double play, was able to get out of it unscathed and still holding a three-run lead.

Liam Goodall touched home in the eighth for an insurance run after drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second before moving to third on Mike Gragilla's groundout. Romero skied a ball down the first base line, but an error allowed Romero to reach first and Goodall to race home for the 5-1 lead.

A leadoff Billy Farrell double to left ended Maloney's night after seven complete innings, allowing Eric Green to enter from the bullpen. A long battle from Ramon Sanchez ended in a single, putting Warriors on the corners for Merrell who grounded out to short, plating the run. A weak grounder from Aubuchon ended the inning with the Eagles holding a 5-2 lead.

The Eagles went an unconventianal 1-2-3 in the first of the ninth as Jordan Johnson was thrown out at second trying to swipe the seventh stolen base of the game for the Eagles, but Green faced just one over the minimum in the home-half of the ninth.

Maloney (8-1) moved to 27-1 overall in his three-year Eagle career, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out four. Green earned his eighth save of the year with his two-inning outing.

The Eagles and Warriors will meet tomorrow at 12 p.m. for a twin bill in the series conclusion.