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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Drayton vsVSU 021122_DSC01553
Tavana Mercado
2
Nova Southeastern NSU 6-5
3
Winner Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB 5-4
Nova Southeastern NSU
6-5
2
Final
3
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB
5-4
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Nova Southeastern NSU 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 3
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 8 5

W: Collins, Kelsi (3-2) L: E. Hess (2-3)

Game Recap: Softball | | Kyrin Mayfield | @k_mayfield97

Drayton’s Walk-Off Hit Completes Softball’s Comeback Over Sharks

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Down 2-0 in the seventh inning, the Embry-Riddle softball team made an improbable comeback against Nova Southeastern on Friday night at Radiology Associates Field. The Eagles (5-4, 3-1 Sunshine State Conference) downed the Sharks (6-5, 0-1 SSC) 3-2 thanks to four hits and an error in the final frame to push three runs across. ReAnne Drayton capped off the rally with a two-out walk-off single to score Lia Johnson for the winning run.

This was Embry-Riddle's first walk-off win since March 11, 2020, in a game against Hillsdale that would be the Eagles' last competition before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the remainder of the schedule to be canceled. Drayton also pushed the winning run home in that contest.

Kelsi Collins returned to the circle in top form for Embry-Riddle. In the second inning, the right-hander struck out the side and continued that momentum into the third where she sent the leadoff batter down on strikes for four straight K's.

A few fielding mishaps put Nova Southeastern ahead, though, when a pair of Eagle errors allowed two Sharks to reach base. With two on and two out, the SSC's leader in batting average, Tia Williams, blooped a single into center field to score the two baserunners. 

Embry-Riddle struggled to get anything going offensively until the seventh inning. Head Coach Kelsi Dunne put in three pinch hitters in a row to start the frame. Kelsey Kressler and Mallory Kinahan both made the decision pay off with back-to-back base knocks. With two outs and two on, the Sharks second baseman misplayed a ground ball which would have ended the game, allowing pinch-runner Delaney Morgan to score. Mahaliyah Sandridge then tied the game with a laser into left field, setting up Drayton to bring the winning run home just seconds later.

Collins (3-2) tied her career-high in strikeouts with nine and limited NSU to only two hits, her fewest hits allowed in a start this season.

Six different Eagles recorded a hit, led by Sandridge who went 2-for-3. 

Embry-Riddle concludes its 10-game homestand tomorrow with a doubleheader against Nova Southeastern at noon.
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