GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Embry-Riddle Eagles split their first day of tournament play, falling 10-9 to the Spring Hill College Badgers and defeating the defending DII Champs, No. 1 North Alabama Lions, 3-1.
Kassidy Simons took the win against UNA, striking out three and allowing only three hits.
Hannah Thomas and
Eryn Chester each hit a home run against the Badgers while
Jayla Jackson hit a walk-off home run against the Lions.
Maggie Scott also had two doubles against Spring Hill.
Game 1 - SHC 10, ERAU 9
Spring Hill started off the scoring in the second inning with a two-run home run. The Eagles loaded the bases and a walk by
Anna Battison brought in
Destiny Carroll for the first run of the game. With the bases loaded, Chester singled in
Hannah Thomas and an error by Spring Hill brought in
Jayla Jackson giving the Eagles a 3-2 lead. The Eagles did not stop there, and with runners on second and third, Scott hit a double to bring in Battison and Chester, ending the inning in a 5-2 lead.
Spring Hill began the third inning with a three-run home run to tie the game, but ERAU's Thomas hit her own home run to recapture the lead.
In the fourth inning, the Badgers loaded the bases and scored four with a grand slam bringing the score to 10-6. Scott came up to bat and got to second on a double, and was then advanced by
Kailah Rain. Errors by the Spring Hill infielders scored Scott, cutting the Eagle deficit to 10-7.
Battison beat out the throw to first and stole second to start off the fifth inning. Chester hit a home run to bring them both home, bringing the Eagles within one.
The Eagles remained unable to find home for the rest of the game ending the game in a 10-9 loss.
Game 2 - ERAU 3, UNA 1
It wasn't until the fifth inning that a home run by North Alabama put either team on the scoreboard.
Chester walked in the sixth inning, followed by a stolen base and advanced to third on Scott's at-bat. Simons then batted Chester in to tie the game 1-1.
The seventh inning yielded no results for UNA, but ERAU finished strong with a walk-off home run by
Jayla Jackson, scoring two, ending the game with a 3-1 victory.
The Eagles return to the SportsPlex in Gulf Shores tomorrow to face Delta State at 1:30 p.m. and Alabama-Huntsville at 6:30 p.m.