COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Embry-Riddle softball team opened the 2018 season on Saturday by competing at the Southern Softball Showdown. The Eagles got their first victories of the season, defeating Georgia College 3-2 and Montevallo 7-3. The Eagles are now 2-0, while both Georgia College and Montevallo fall to a record of 0-1.
Game 1
IIona Andringa started game one of Saturday's double-header and she was superb. Andringa picked up the win by pitching six innings, giving up two runs on four hits, along with nine strikeouts.
The Eagles started off the scoring in the bottom of the second, as
Kailah Rain singled down the left field line. The next batter,
Destiny Carroll, reached first on an error by the Bobcats, allowing Rain to advance to third. Carroll stole second and the Bobcats had another error allowing Rain and Carroll to score the first runs of the year. ERAU would lead 2-0 after two innings of play.
The Blue and Gold tacked on another run in the bottom of third, as
Katy Thompson picked up the first RBI of the season on a single to second base, scoring
Eryn Chester. However, the Bobcats brought it within one, scoring two runs in the sixth.
Jayla Jackson was called upon to pitch the final frame for the Eagles. Jackson got the save as she faced four batters, allowed one hit, no runs, along with two strikeouts. Embry-Riddle would go on to win by a final score of 3-2.
Game 2
Jayla Jackson was the game two starter for the Eagles. She picked up her first victory of the season, pitching six innings, giving up three runs (all earned) on six hits, along with seven strikeouts.
The Eagles scored their first runs game remained scoreless until the top of the third inning, when the Eagles put up three runs.
Maggie Scott would bring in the first run of the game thanks to a fielder's choice, which allowed
Lisa Hop to score.
Kailah Rain drove in the second run, scoring
Mackie Chandler -- also on a fielder's choice. Scott came around to score to score the final run of the inning, giving the Eagles a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the third.
ERAU would increase the lead as they poured on four more runs in the fifth inning. Rain had an RBI single to center to score Scott, before
Destiny Carroll hit a two RBI double to center field knocking in
ReAnne Drayton and Rain. Carroll later scored thanks to an RBI double to left field by B. Limon.
Montevallo would not go quietly as they managed to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth with a three RBI triple. Fortunately, the Falcons would be held scoreless in the bottom of the seventh because of
Lisa Hop. Hop faced the final three batters, allowed no hits and had two strikeouts.
The Eagles continue play at the Southern Softball Showdown tomorrow, as the Blue and Gold will go up against Georgia Southwestern and Valdosta State. First pitch of game one tomorrow is set to for 12:30 p.m., with game two slated for 3 p.m.
