DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle softball team completed game two on Sunday afternoon after lighting suspended the contest the previous evening. The Eagles failed to overcome a late-game deficit and lost by a final score of 4-3 to Rollins College. ERAU falls to 27-12 overall and 15-9 in Sunshine State Conference play while Rollins moves to 23-19 and 9-12 in SSC play.
Rollins increased their lead steadily throughout the contest, scoring four runs through four innings of play. The Tars picked up their first run of an RBI single in the top of the first. Rollins added another run in the second, increasing the lead to 2-0 going into the third. RC homered in the third and tacked on another run in the fourth, extending their lead to 4-0 going into the bottom of the frame.
The Eagles would not go quietly, putting two runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth.
Mackie Chandler hit an RBI single down the left field line to score
Maggie Scott.
Mariana Pereira knocked in Chandler on a single through the left side. The Eagles trailed 4-2 in the top of the fifth, however, the game was postponed due to inclement weather. After a 16-hour delay, the teams continued play in the top of the fifth.
Both teams went scoreless in the fifth and sixth inning, setting up a thrilling finish in the seventh. ERAU held Rollins in check and went to the bottom of the seventh trailing 4-2.
Katy Thompson started the seventh with a single to right.
Peqe Lopez walked, advancing Thompson to second.
Destiny Carroll grounded out to third, advancing Lopez to second and Thompson to third in the process.
ReAnne Drayton sac fly to score Thompson cut the Rollins lead to one. Unfortunately, that was as close as the Eagle would be to tying the game as they fell by a final score of 4-3.
Ilona Andringa picked up the loss for the Eagles, pitching seven innings, off eight hits, two runs (one earned), walked one and struck out four.
Kailah Rain went 2-for-3 with two singles in the contest. Thompson, Pereira, and Chandler all went 1-for-3.
Embry-Riddle returns to action on Saturday, April 14 to take on Sunshine State Conference foe Lynn University. The two schools will play a three-game series in Daytona, with a doubleheader on Saturday and one game on Sunday. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 4 pm.