ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle softball team came out on the right end of a 4-1 ballgame on Wednesday in a nonconference matchup against Flagler.
 
The Eagles wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first. Maggie Scott led off the game with a bunt single and a stolen base to give ERAU (23-19, 14-13 SSC) a runner in scoring position with no outs. Scott scored on an RBI single to right field by Mariana Pereira. Two walks occurred later in the inning to load the bases with no outs; however, the Eagles were limited to one run.
 
Jayla Jackson got off to a strong start in the circle. The junior held Flagler (30-22, 13-7 PBC) to just one hit through the first five innings of action. The Michigan native finished the day with one earned run on three hits with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.
 
ReAnne Drayton added a key insurance run for ERAU in the top of the fourth in the form of her first collegiate home run. Her solo shot to left field made it a 2-0 ballgame.
 
The Saints attempted to steal a victory in a later innings. A hit batter followed by two singles got Flagler its first run of the day and set up the hosts with runners on first and second and one out. Coach Kelsi Dunne decided to bring in Lisa Hop to try to preserve the 2-1 Eagle lead. The sophomore forced a pop out and strikeout to get out of the inning.
 
ERAU created some breathing room in the top of the seventh. Hop and Pereira got on base to start the inning. One run scored on an RBI single by Meritxell Blesa. Michy Ramos made it a 4-1 ballgame with a groundout.
 
Hop allowed a hit in the bottom of the inning; however, she slammed the door with two strikeouts to earn the win for the Blue and Gold.
 
Scott, Pereira and Blesa tallied two hits each. Hop earned her fourth save in 1.2 innings of relief. She gave up just one hit with three strikeouts.
 
ERAU finishes its season this weekend in a three-game series against Barry. Game one on Friday takes place at 7 p.m. at the ERAU Softball Stadium.