ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle softball team split its last two games in the second half of the Flagler Mini-Tournament.
The Blue and Gold started the day by avenging last night's walk-off loss against Newberry (7-2) by earning a tough win against the Wolves, 1-0. However, they could not carry that momentum into the next game against Flagler (4-6). ERAU (3-5) lost to the Saints 1-0.
The rematch between the Eagles and Newberry was a pitching duel, with both teams struggling to string hits together.
Lisa Hop topped yesterday's impressive performance with a complete game shutout, allowing just two hits with nine strikeouts.
It did not take long for Hop to get into a rhythm in the circle. The sophomore tallied six strikeouts in the first three innings. Newberry did not get its first hit until a bunt single the fourth inning.
ERAU was held to just one hit until the fourth inning. A bunt single by Hop followed by an infield single by
Katy Thompson set up an RBI single by
Mariana Pereira to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
That was all the run support Hop needed as her dominance on the mound continued. She retired the Wolves in order in the fifth and sixth framers. After a leadoff single in the seventh, Newberry attempted to walk-off in back-to-back games; however, Thompson would throw out the runner attempting to steal to clear the bases. Hop retired the next two batters to complete the shutout.
Hop led the Eagle offense with two hits, a double and a run scored. Pereira went 1-for-2 with an RBI, stolen base and a walk.
Flagler wasted little time getting ahead in the second game. A leadoff double followed by a single put runners on first and third with no outs. A sacrifice fly gave the Saints a 1-0 lead which would last the rest of the contest.
The Eagles had no luck at the plate. ERAU's first hit came in the fourth inning. Thompson sent a fly ball over the left field fence which would have tied the game. However, the umpire ruled that Thompson missed home plate, calling her out after a Flagler appeal.
Jayla Jackson did her job in the circle to keep it a one-run game. After the first inning, Flagler was only able to muster one hit for the rest of the game. Jackson finished with one run on three hits, with six innings pitched and seven strikeouts.
ERAU did not go away quietly in the seventh. Hop singled, followed by a walk by Thompson to give the Eagles runners on first and second with one out. However, back-to-back pop outs prevented ERAU from completing the comeback.
The Blue and Gold travel to Columbus, Ga. next weekend to participate in the Columbus State tournament. The first game takes place Friday at 4 p.m. against Albany State.
