WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle softball team took the last two games of its series against 23rd-ranked Rollins on Saturday.
 
After winning game one 6-5, the Eagles fought the Tars (34-9, 16-8  SSC) in a nine-inning game two to decide the series. Savannah Brockenbrough played the hero for ERAU (20-18, 12-12 SSC) by sending a two-run home run over the centerfield fence to give the Blue and Gold a 3-1 lead in the top of the ninth. Jayla Jackson set down Rollins in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.
 
Jackson pitched all nine innings for the Eagles. She gave up just one earned run on four hits with the one run coming on a solo home run.
 
Both teams got on the board early in game one. Mariana Pereira got ERAU on the board in the top of the first with a solo home run to centerfield to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Their lead did not last long as Rollins took advantage of a leadoff walk and error to plate a run of its own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at one.
 
After two scoreless innings, the scoring resumed in the top of the fourth. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases for ERAU with two outs. Jamie Mead came through in the clutch with a two-RBI single to give the Eagles a 3-1 lead. Rollins answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-out RBI of its own.
 
ERAU got some much-needed insurance runs in the top of the fifth. A single by Maggie Scott followed by a walk and hit batter loaded the bases for the Eagles with one out. A fielder's choice made it a 4-2 ballgame. After a strikeout, Meritxell Blesa singled to centerfielder to score Pereira. The rally would end, but not before a bases-loaded walk by Mead made it 6-2.
 
The Tars responded with two home runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it a 6-5 ballgame. ERAU had a chance to increase its lead in the top of the sixth. A leadoff double by Scott, a walk and hit batter loaded the bases again with one out. A botched squeeze play resulted in Scott being called out at home. The rally ended with a pop out as the Eagles were unable to capitalize.
 
ERAU went into the bottom of the seventh with a one run lead and the Tars' top of the order due up. Lisa Hop allowed one runner on a walk, but she was able to retire to the side to complete her complete game and earn a win for the Eagles.
 
Mead recorded three RBIs in game one. Scott led ERAU with two hits. Hop allowed four earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.
 
Game two mirrored Friday night's game. Both teams were held scoreless through the first four innings and combined for four hits through the first five innings of play.
 
Rollins nearly broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the first. The Tars had runners on first and third with one out. A pop out to the catcher gave ERAU its second out. The hosts nearly took a three-run lead on a big fly to centerfield, but Scott made the leaping catch to rob the home run and keep the game scoreless.
 
The Tars broke the scoreless tie in the same way they did in last night's ballgame. A solo home run in the bottom of the fifth was just out of the reach of Scott and gave Rollins a 1-0 lead.
 
ERAU went into the bottom of the seventh trailing 1-0. Pereira led off the inning with an infield single. A sacrifice bunt by Katy Thompson moved Pereira to second base with one out. Michy Ramos walked to put runners on first and second. A groundout to second moved the runners to second and third with two outs. The Eagles were down to their last strike before a wild pitch allowed Pereira to tie the game. The go-ahead run was stranded on third to end the inning.
 
Jackson held Rollins scoreless in the bottom half of the frame to send the game to extra innings. After both teams were held scoreless in the eighth, Pereira led off the ninth with an infield single. A groundout and passed ball advanced the senior to third with one out. A groundout kept Pereira at third and gave Rollins its second out. Brockenbrough was down to her last strike before giving the Eagles the lead on the home run.
 
The Blue and Gold totaled six hits in the contest. Pereira led the team with two hits and two runs scored.
 
ERAU travels to Valdosta State for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday. First pitch of game one takes place at 4 p.m.