COLUMBUS, Ga. – Jayla Jackson played the hero for the Embry-Riddle softball team, earning the game-winning RBI in a 6-5 walk-off win for the Eagles.
 
Katy Thompson led off the seventh with a leadoff double down the left field line. She moved to third after a sacrifice bunt by Meritxell Blesa. Jackson followed with a hard groundball to first base that was bobbled by the Georgia Southwestern State (5-4) fielder long enough to allow Thompson to score the game-winning run.
 
Jackson started the game in the circle for ERAU (7-5). She allowed one baserunner through the first three innings, but the Lady Canes' bats would come alive in the fourth. Georgia Southwestern State scored five runs on four hits, including a three-run home run, to take a 5-0 lead.
 
The Blue and Gold answered immediately in its half of the fourth. Michy Ramos started the inning with a double, followed by a single by Thompson. A double by Jackson got ERAU on the board. The Eagles would take advantage of an error that scored two more runs, making the score 5-3.
 
Lisa Hop entered the circle in relief for the fifth frame. She pitched three scoreless innings to keep the Eagles in the game.
 
Callie Rodriguez and Reanne Drayton started the sixth inning with singles to give ERAU runners on first and second with no outs. They advanced a base on a wild pitch. Lia Johnson followed with an infield hit to load the bases. Hop sent a high fly ball to centerfield deep enough to score Rodriguez. Drayton scored on a groundout to second by Mariana Pereira to tie the game at 5.
 
Thompson led the Eagle offense with three hits and two runs scored. Jackson went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. She struck out five Georgia Southwestern State batters in four innings pitched. Ramos and Johnson added two hits each.
 
Today's win topped off an undefeated weekend for the Blue and Gold.
 
"I'm extremely proud of our team and the way we played," ERAU Head Coach Kelsi Dunne said. "We stayed true to our process and showed a lot of fight every game. It was a complete team effort this weekend, and I'm very happy for our student-athletes to have the results they're working hard for."
 
The Eagles' will start conference play in their home opener next weekend, in a series against Eckerd. Game one takes place Friday and 6 p.m. at the ERAU Softball Stadium.