DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Home runs from Robi Zimmerman and Raquelli Bianco spurred the Embry-Riddle softball team to a pair of victories on Sunday over visiting William Woods University. Zimmerman hit a walk-off three-run homer in the first game to give ERAU a 3-2 win, while Bianco helped herself with a two-run shot in game two, a game that she also pitched a shutout, leading the Eagles to a 3-0 victory. The wins improve ERAU's record to 15-11, while the Owls drop to 11-12.
Game 1 - ERAU 3, WWU 2
The first game was a pitchers' duel, with neither side able to dent the scoreboard through the first four innings. The Owls eventually got on the board first on a two-out RBI single in the fifth, and then doubled their lead on consecutive sixth-inning doubles to make it 2-0. Kailah Rain gunned down a runner at the plate to end that inning, which would prove to be a pivotal play in the game.
The Eagles continued to trail 2-0 going to the final frame, but the Blue and Gold found some magic in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Taylor Cowan worked an eight-pitch walk, and Haleigh Lewis followed with an infield single to bring up Zimmerman. After seeing six pitches, including a couple hard-hit foul balls, Zimmerman crushed a 3-2 pitch over the left-field wall to instantly turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory.
Zimmerman (6-6) got the complete game win in the circle as a result of her heroics at the plate, allowing just two runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out six. She was also 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, while Lewis was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored and Kelsey McDonnell was 1-for-2 with a stolen base.
Allison Waskow (5-6) took the loss in a complete game effort, allowing three runs on four hits in 6.1 innings, walking two and striking out nine. Brailee Schulte was 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored while Hannah Campbell was 2-for-3 with a run scored and Shelby LeCuru was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Game 2 - ERAU 3, WWU 0
Embry-Riddle jumped out to an early lead in game two thanks to the speed of Anna Battison. Battison led off with an infield single and promptly stole second base, adding to her single-season program record, which now stands at 20. Rain then moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt, and two batters later, Battison came home on a wild pitch to put ERAU ahead, 1-0.
The score remained 1-0 until the fourth, when Bianco crushed a 3-1 pitch over the right-center field fence for a two-run home run to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead. That would be more than enough run support for Bianco, who ended up throwing her fourth straight shutout.
Bianco (8-5) allowed just six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in the complete game effort. She has not allowed a run in 23 consecutive innings and has only allowed 15 hits and one walk while striking out 23 batters in her last four starts.
Battison was 3-for-3 at the plate, stealing two bases and scoring once, while Bianco was 1-for-2 with a two-run home run.
Bre Logan (4-3) took the six-inning complete game loss, giving up three runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Caroline Sicht was 2-for-3 while Sydnae Hatton, Alexi Cavins and Julie Scheer each went 1-for-3.
The Eagles will be on the road for the first time in over a month when they travel to Thomasville, Georgia on Saturday, March 28, to face No. 12 Thomas in a Sun Conference doubleheader at 1 p.m. On Sunday, March 29, the Blue and Gold will be in Hardeeville, South Carolina to take on No. 25 South Carolina Beaufort in another conference twin bill slated to begin at 12 p.m.
