DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle Eagles competed in their 11th annual exhibition contest with the MiLB Daytona Tortugas on Wednesday night, falling 7-1 at Historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Senior shortstop Enderson Velasquez shined for the Blue and Gold, going 3-for-3 while scoring the Eagles' only run of the game.

Velasquez kept the first inning alive with a two-out single, but the Eagle rally didn't last long before Jonathan Camp wa retired. The Tortugas, the Class-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, got a two-run home run from Aristedes Aquino in the bottom of the first to take an early 2-0 lead over the Eagles and starter Dylan Demarest.

Demarest stranded a Tortuga on third with one out in the last of the second to keep ERAU within two runs before Kenny Burkhead relieved him to start the third. Aquino registered his second two-run homer in the frame, and the Tortugas threatened for more, putting runners on the corners with one out, however, Burkhead got a fantastic 6-4-3 double play to end the inning as Joshua Garcia made a nice turn at second for the twin killing.

Velasquez collected his second hit in the fourth, but again was stranded before Burkhead ended the home-half of the inning with a swinging strikeout.

Zach Howard started the fifth inning on the mound for the Eagles, getting two outs before serving up a three-run homer as Daytona went up 7-0.

After Kyle Zirbes delivered a scoreless sixth on the bump, Velasquez yet again singled, leading off the seventh before Joshua Garcia singled. With runners on the corners, Logan Malphurs hit a pitch to short, bringing in Velasquez from third for the lone Eagle run of the contest.

The Eagles return to their home, Sliwa Stadium, for a three-game series against Eckerd on Saturday and Sunday, starting with a single game on Saturday at 4 p.m. and concluding with a twin bill at 12 p.m. on Sunday.