DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle softball team continued their six-game homestand on Saturday evening with a doubleheader against Sunshine State Conference opponent Lynn University. ERAU swept the doubleheader as the Eagles won game one 4-3 in extra innings and won game two 8-3. ERAU improves to 29-12 overall and 17-9 in SSC play while the Knights fall to 22-21 and 10-13 in conference play.
Game 1
Pitching dominated the greater part of the contest as the Eagles and Knights combined for four hits through four innings of play. Both offenses came to life in the fifth as Lynn scored three runs in the inning with a three-run homer to left.
However, the Blue and Gold countered with three runs of their own.
Lisa Hop knocked in the first run for the Eagles with an RBI single to right. Hop scored thanks to
Maggie Scott's RBI triple to right. Scott scored after an RBI single by
Mariana Pereira. Going into the sixth, the score was tied 3-3.
Each team went scoreless in the sixth and seventh, forcing extra innings.
Ilona Andringa set the Knights down in order in the top of the eighth, giving the Eagles a chance to walk things off in the bottom of the frame. With two outs,
Katy Thompson reached due to a costly fielding error by the Lynn shortstop.
Peqe Lopez capitalized on the opportunity, hitting a walk-off RBI double to left, securing a 4-3 victory for the Eagles.
Ilona Andringa picked up her 18th win of the season in a gritty performance. Andringa pitched a complete game, allowed five hits, three runs (all earned), with two walks and six strikeouts. Scott, Pereira, and Lopez each went 2-for-4 and drove in at least one run.
Game 2
The Eagles found their rhythm offensively in the second game of the evening, scoring two runs in the first and one run in the second.
Mackie Chandler hit an RBI single to left center for the first run of the game.
Kailah Rain executed the squeeze play to perfection by scoring Chandler and reaching base safely. Lynn countered with one run in the top of the second off an RBI single. Chandler picked up her the second RBI of the game with an infield single. The Eagles led 3-1 going into the top of the third.
The Knights cut the deficit to one in the third with an RBI double to left. Lynn tied the game in the top of the fifth after scoring on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded. Embry-Riddle regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs in the frame. Thompson utilized the squeeze play to score Chandler from third. Lopez drove in the second run with an RBI single through the right side. ERAU led 5-3 going into the sixth.
The Blue and Gold picked up some insurance runs in the sixth; putting three runs up on the board. Hop and Scott scored thanks to an errant throw by the Lynn pitcher. Pereira drove in the final run after grounding out to short with runners on second and third. The Eagles went on to win by a final score of 8-3.
Lisa Hop won her third game of the season as she pitched three innings, allowed two hits, one run (earned), one walk and struck out four. Chandler went a perfect 4-for-4 with four singles and a stolen base.
ReAnne Drayton went 2-for-3 and scored once. Rain went 2-for-4 as she scored one and drove in one run.
Embry-Riddle and Lynn will play the third game of the series on Sunday, April 15 with the first pitch scheduled for 10 a.m.
