WINTER PARK, Florida - The Embry-Riddle baseball team was on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel in the Eagles' Sunshine State Conference opener on Friday night. ERAU (1-6, 0-1 SSC) couldn't solve the duo of Jaylyn Whitehead and Austin Long, failing to score a run for the first time since Feb. 29, 2020. The Tars (5-1, 1-0 SSC) were only able to plate a single run against Garrett Goodall, but that was enough to take the series opener, 1-0.

Goodall (0-2) got out of a jam in the bottom of the first, stranding a pair of Rollins runners on the bases, but the momentum wouldn't carry through for the Eagle offense as they failed to get a baserunner against Whitehead until Daniel Trillo singled to center in the top of the third inning. Whitehead was able to keep ERAU off the scoreboard in that inning by striking out Andrew Martinez with runners on the corners.

The Tars got the winning run in the home-half of the third after starting the frame off with two singles that put runners on the corners. Goodall got a ground ball double play off the bat of Adams Torres, but the runner from third scored for a 1-0 Rollins lead.

Embry-Riddle loaded the bases in the fifth with one out, but a line out double play ended the Eagle threat and kept the deficit at a run.

The Eagles again threatened in the seventh, but Long, who started the inning in relief of Whitehead, was able to get a ground out to send the game to the stretch.

Garner Spoljaric relieved Goodall in the seventh, and stranded two Tars runners with a strikeout.

In the ninth, the Eagles thought they had the game tied when Alex Britton single to left and the ball got by the sliding Tar left fielder, allowing Garrett Bogart, who singled with one out in the inning, to race all the way around third and head for home. However, a great relay from the Tar shortstop cut down Bogart at home, preserving the 1-0 Tar lead. Long was able to get the final out of the game via a strikeout.

Goodall struck out four in six innings of work, while Splojaric did not allow a run to cross home in two innings of relief. Trillo finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

ERAU and Rollins will meet tomorrow for the second game of the weekend series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Alfond Stadium.