DAYTONA BEACH, Fla – The Embry-Riddle softball team returned to the ERAU Softball Stadium on Friday to play the first game of a weekend series against #11 Florida Tech.
 
The Eagles battled back from two early deficits, but they were unable to play with a lead. ERAU (12-10, 5-5 Sunshine State Conference) left seven runners on base in a 4-2 loss to Florida Tech (22-6, 6-4 SSC).
 
The Panthers wasted little time getting on the board. A two-out double plated the first run of the game and gave Florida Tech a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
 
ERAU answered in the bottom of the inning. An error, single and stolen base gave the Eagles runners on second and third with one out. A single by Katy Thompson tied the game at one. Thompson followed by stealing second to put the Blue and Gold in position to take the lead; however, a strikeout and a flyout ended the inning.
 
Jayla Jackson did her best to give the Eagles a chance in the circle. After a long first inning, Jackson settled in by striking out the side in the second. The Eagles had a runner on second with the top of the order due up, but the go-ahead run was be stranded.
 
Another two-out double gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead in the third. The Eagles answered again with a two-out, RBI double of their own by Meritxell Blesa to score Mariana Pereira and tie the game at 2.
 
Florida Tech continued to do damage with two outs. In the fifth inning, a third RBI double with two outs in the inning gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead. The visitors added an insurance run of the sixth. The Panthers started the inning with a double, followed by a sacrifice bunt. A sacrifice fly to center was just deep enough to score the insurance run.
 
ERAU was unable to comeback for a third time. The Eagles got the tying run to the plate, but they ultimately came up empty.
 
Pereira led the Eagles with two hits. Jackson gave up four runs with seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched.