AVE MARIA, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle softball team pounded out 23 hits during a doubleheader sweep at Ave Maria on Friday, winning the first game, 13-5, before taking the second contest, 2-0.
 
With the wins, ERAU now stands at 12-11 on the year and 2-0 in conference play, while AMU falls to 17-19 and 0-2 in TSC action.
 
Game 1 – ERAU 13, AMU 5
 
The first game started out looking like a pitchers' duel, with neither side able to score in the first three innings. But in the top of the fourth, Embry-Riddle sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring six times. Even more impressive, the Eagles did all of it with two outs, beginning with a single from Robi Zimmerman. After Alex Wood was hit by a pitch, Jennifer Estrada reached on a bunt single, and the throw was muffed by the second baseman covering first, allowing two runs to score. Anna Battison then put down a bunt and the second baseman again muffed the throw, allowing Jennifer Estrada to score. After Sarah Huey was hit by a pitch, Talia Barraco doubled down the left-field line, scoring Battison and Huey. Dee Espinosa then followed with a base hit up the middle that scored Barraco, making it a 6-0 game.
 
The Gyrenes came back with a five-run inning in the bottom of the fifth, using six hits and an Eagle error to cut the deficit to 6-5.
 
The Blue and Gold answered AMU's five-run inning with five runs of their own in the sixth. Two runs came home on a throwing error and Samantha Smith and Zimmerman each recorded RBI singles, while Wood singled home a run with an RBI groundout, bringing the score to 11-5.
 
Haleigh Lewis and Samantha Smith each singled in runs in the seventh to account for the 13-5 final score.
 
Zimmerman (5-6) got the win, pitching 4.2 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits, striking out two and walking none. Alexis Estrada earned her first career save, tossing the final 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing three hits and picking up five strikeouts.
 
Barraco went 2-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and two RBIs, while Lewis and Smith each went 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs.
 
Emily Lemin (6-9) was tagged with the loss, pitching 5.1 innings, giving up 11 runs (5 earned) on eight hits, walking two and striking out two.
 
Kingsley Avery went 2-for-4 with a triple, run scored, stolen base and three RBIs, while Cheyenne Benson was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
 
Game 2 – ERAU 2, AMU 0
 
Game two was a contrast to the first, with both teams pitching better and playing solid defense, as no errors were committed by either side.
 
The Eagles jumped ahead early on a Lewis RBI double in the top of the first.
 
ERAU threatened again in the fourth, but Jennifer Estrada was cut down at the plate to end the inning.
 
Embry-Riddle again had a runner at third with one out in the fifth, but Sarah Huey got thrown out on a 1-3-2 double play to end the threat.
 
The Blue and Gold finally got the insurance run they wanted in the sixth on a Jessica Osteen RBI single, scoring Lewis.
 
Alexis Estrada didn't allow the Gyrenes to mount any real threat of a comeback, pitching her fourth shutout of the season. She pitched all seven innings, allowing just five hits and no walks with two strikeouts.
 
Lewis was 2-for-2 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI, while Jennifer Estrada was 2-for-2 with two stolen bases.
 
Beth Vaccarezza (2-3) took the loss, pitching a complete game and giving up two runs on 11 hits with one walk and one strikeout.
 
Sarah Vinci went 2-for-3 while Alyssa Colding was 1-for-3 with a double.
 
The Eagles are back at it tomorrow with a doubleheader at Warner beginning at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available at erauathletics.com/live.