BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle softball team earned a series win against Lynn after taking both games of a doubleheader on Thursday.
The Eagles won game one thanks to a nearly-flawless performance in the circle by
Jayla Jackson. The Michigan native tossed a three-hit complete game as ERAU (22-18, 14-12 SSC) won 5-1. The bats came alive for the Blue and Gold in game two. ERAU found themselves on the winning side of a 9-7 ballgame to end the day.
ERAU was held hitless through the first two innings of game one.
Callie Rodriguez started the Eagle rally in the third inning with a leadoff walk.
Maggie Scott followed with the Eagles' first hit of the game to give the visitors runners on first and second and no outs.
Lisa Hop put the Eagles on the board with a two-RBI double to left-centerfield.
Lynn (15-33, 5-21 SSC) responded with a run of its own after taking advantage of two walks that set the table for an RBI-single for the Fighting Knights to make it a 2-1 ballgame in the third.
The Eagles extended their lead in the top of the fifth. Mirroring the third inning, Rodriguez led off with a walk, followed by singles by Scott and Hop to load the bases with no outs. One run scored on a groundout by
Mariana Pereira. Two more runs scored on a pinch-hit single down the left-field line to make the Eagle lead 5-1.
That is all the run support
Jayla Jackson needed in the circle. The junior went the distance in game one. She allowed one earned run on three hits with five strikeouts.
Scott led the Eagles with three hits and two runs scored. Hop totaled two hits with two RBIs in game one.
Lynn struck first in game two after taking advantage of a throwing error by the Eagles in the bottom of the second. ERAU responded in the next half inning with three runs of its own. Hop kept her momentum from last game with a two-RBI single. Pereira followed with an RBI double. Two hit batters loaded the bases for the Eagles with no outs. ERAU seemed to score on a sac fly; however, it was ruled that Pereira left third base early, and she was called out on an appeal. A groundout followed to limit the Eagles to three runs in the inning.
The Fighting Knights attempted to take advantage of two walks in the bottom of the fourth; however, Hop was able to work out of the one-out jam after a groundout and flyout to preserve the Eagle lead.
ReAnne Drayton extended the Eagle lead in the top of the fifth. The sophomore's double to the left-field fence scored Hop and Pereira to make it a 5-1 game.
Lynn cut into the Eagle lead in the bottom of the six. The Fighting Knights plated three runs on four hits in the inning. Hop was able to leave the bases loaded to keep the ERAU lead.
ERAU got some much-needed insurance in the top of the seventh. The Eagles plated four runs on five hits in the inning, including RBI-singles from Rodriguez,
Jamie Mead and Scott to give ERAU a 9-4 lead.
The Fighting Knights attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Lynn scored three runs on two hits in its half of the inning. The hosts brought the tying run to the plate, but Hop got the strikeout to end the game, leading to the 9-7 Eagle win.
Pereira went 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs in game two for ERAU. Drayton, Scott and Hop tallied two hits each. Hop earned her 10th win of the season in the circle.
The Blue and Gold go for the sweep tomorrow morning when it plays the season finale against the Fighting Knights. First pitch takes place at 10 a.m.
