FLORENCE, Ala. – The Embry-Riddle (33-14) softball team swept Saint Leo (33-15) in three games during the 2018 regular season, but the sixth-seeded Eagles were unable to pick up another win against the third-seeded Lions in the opening game of the NCAA II South 2 Region tournament on Thursday. The Blue and Gold fell 3-0 to Saint Leo to move into the losers' bracket of the double elimination tournament.
 
The Lions did all of their damage in the first inning, plating all three of their runs in that frame. Kacie Kelly singled to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI single to center field. The Eagles were an out away from getting out of the inning without further damage but fell victim to a throwing error that plated two more runs.
 
Saint Leo pitcher Auria Mounts allowed just one base runner through the first six innings, but the Eagles were able to put three runners on base in the seventh. After Mackie Chandler walked to lead off the inning, Kailah Rain connected on Mounts pitch seemed destined to get through the left side, but Lion shortstop Brittany Creamer made a diving catch and then threw out Chandler as she scrambled to get back to first for two quick outs. Following the double play, the Eagles attempted a two-out rally as back-to-back singles by Katy Thompson and Mariana Pereira put runners on first and second, however, Mounts managed to induce a flyout to center field to secure the win.
 
Ilona Andringa went the distance for the Eagles, surrendering three runs (one earned) on five hits, while striking out three batters to move to 21-11 on the year. Pereira and Thompson were the only two Eagle batters to record a hit with Pereira going 2-for-3 on the day.
 
Mounts improved to 15-7 with the complete game win, recording five strikeouts and giving up three hits.
 
The Eagles will be back in action at 4:30 p.m. (CDT) on Friday and will face the loser of Thursday's late game between West Florida and host North Alabama.