LAKELAND, Fla. - Raquelli Bianco tossed a three-hitter and Taylor Cowan went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Embry-Riddle softball team to a 3-1 game two victory at Southeastern on Thursday afternoon, giving the Eagles a doubleheader split. The Fire took game one by a 4-0 score.
The day's results put ERAU's season record at 17-17 and conference mark at 2-6, while SEU moves to 29-10 overall and 5-1 in league play.
Game 1 - SEU 4, ERAU 0
The Blue and Gold picked up a pair of singles in the top of the first inning, but couldn't push an early run across. Southeastern only got one hit in the first, but thanks to a pair of walks and a pair of ERAU errors, the Fire plated two runs to take a 2-0 lead.
SEU tacked on another run in the third inning on a two-out RBI single from Brandee Pietrzak, extending the Fire lead to 3-0.
Pietrzak singled home another run in the fifth to make it a 4-0 game, which would prove to be the final score.
Robi Zimmerman (6-10) took the loss in a complete game effort, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits, walking two and striking out six. Five Eagles contributed one hit apiece, including Zimmerman, Bianco, Kailah Rain, Haleigh Lewis and Talia Barraco.
Susan Hinks (15-5) earned the win, tossing four shutout innings with four hits allowed. Sam Gale picked up her first save of the season, going the final three innings without allowing a run and only giving up one hit and a pair of walks. Pietrzak finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Gale was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Game 2 - ERAU 3, SEU 1
The Eagles struck first in game two, scoring twice in the second inning. Zimmerman led off with a base hit and Cowan followed with an infield single. After Victoria Reed laid down a sacrifice bunt, Kelsey McDonnell slapped a one-out single up the middle to drive in Zimmerman. Cowan was also able to score on the play when the ball slipped past the center fielder, giving Embry-Riddle an early 2-0 lead.
Cowan made it a 3-0 game with a two-out RBI double in the third inning, scoring Barraco from first base.
Bianco was masterful in the circle, recording three 1-2-3 innings through the first five frames. The Fire got their only run of the game on a sixth-inning solo home run off the bat of Cat Maldonado. After the home run, Bianco responded by setting down the final five batters she faced, securing the 3-1 victory.
Bianco (10-7) got the complete game win, giving up one run on three hits, walking two and striking out four. Lewis was 3-for-4 with a stolen base while Rain was 2-for-3 and Zimmerman was 1-for-4 with a run scored.
Maldonado (6-1) was tagged with the loss in a complete game outing, surrendering three runs on nine hits with four walks and four strikeouts. She also had one of her team's three hits, a solo homer, while Annie Weaver was 1-for-2 with a walk and Brittany LaCasse was 1-for-3.
The Eagles return home to host St. Thomas in a Sun Conference doubleheader on Sunday, April 12. First pitch for game one is slated for 1 p.m., and the Eagles will be honoring their lone senior, Talia Barraco, prior to the games.
