DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Led by a five-hit effort from Anna Battison and a game two shutout from Raquelli Bianco, the Embry-Riddle softball team picked up two victories against Concordia (Mich.) on Wednesday. In addition to her five hits, Battison also stole four bases, including her 16th of the season, which established a new program single-season record.
With the wins, ERAU now stands at 12-10 on the season, while the Cardinals dropped to 4-6.
Game 1 - ERAU 8, CU 4
Victoria Reed got the Eagles on the board first with a two-out RBI single in the second inning. The Cardinals came back to tie it in the top of the third, but Embry-Riddle answered back with three more runs in the bottom half. Bianco singled home Talia Barraco to put ERAU back in front, 2-1, and after an intentional walk to Haleigh Lewis, Taylor Cowan singled up the middle to drive in two more runs.
Concordia cut the Eagle lead to 4-3 with a pair of runs in the fourth, but once again, Embry-Riddle responded, this time on a two-run single from Kailah Rain to make it a 6-3 game.
Bianco pushed the Eagle lead up to five runs when she launched a two-run home run in the fifth inning, her first as an Eagle, extending the lead to 8-3.
The Cardinals got one run back in the sixth, but Robi Zimmerman completed the final two innings without allowing any further damage, securing the 8-4 victory.
Zimmerman (5-5) got the complete game win, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits, walking one and striking out five. She was also 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and two runs scored. Battison was 3-for-4 with two steals and a run scored, while Bianco was 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored, and Reed finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
Corrina Rotondo (1-3) took the loss, tossing all six innings, allowing eight runs on 12 hits with three walks and a strikeout. Cheyenne Brierley went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Jess Barjaktarovich was 0-for-1 with a run scored and two sacrifice fly RBIs.
Game 2 - ERAU 8, CU 0 (5 inn.)
Battison opened the Eagle half of the first with a bunt single, her second of the day, and promptly stole second base before the Cardinal defense knew what happened. Rain then followed with a bunt single that squirted between the pitcher and third baseman, and Battison used her speed to score from second on the play.
The Blue and Gold doubled its lead on a Kelsey McDonnell RBI single in the second, and the following inning Embry-Riddle exploded for five runs. The Eagles sent 10 batters to the plate that inning, recording three hits and walking four times. Four of the first five batters drew bases on balls, which led to the first run. Then Reed knocked in two more with a base hit, followed by another McDonnell RBI single, and then a run-scoring base hit off Battison's bat.
ERAU tacked on the last run it needed in the fourth, when Bianco led off with a triple and later scored on a single from Barraco. That would prove to be enough as Bianco got the final three outs in the fifth to end the game early via the eight-run rule.
Bianco (6-5) posted her second straight shutout, allowing just three hits in five innings with no walks and four strikeouts. Only once did she allow a Cardinal runner to reach second base. She also went 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored at the plate. McDonnell was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and Reed was 1-for-1 with a run scored and two RBIs. Battison finished game two 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, a run scored and an RBI.
Kelsey Schaus (0-1) took the loss, allowing six runs on four hits in 2.1 innings, walking five and striking out two. Only three Cardinals were able to get hits off of Bianco, including Amy Trionfl, Iesha Waters and Brierley, who all went 1-for-2.
The Eagles will wrap up this 20-game home stand this weekend, beginning with the conference opener on Saturday, March 21 against Warner. That doubleheader is slated to begin at 1 p.m. On Sunday, March 22, ERAU will host William Woods in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
