ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – After a nearly two-year hiatus in competition, the Embry-Riddle softball team stepped back onto the diamond at the Flagler Invitational. The Eagles (1-0) faced Georgia Southwestern State and handed the Hurricanes (0-2) a 4-1 loss thanks to a seventh-inning surge.
 
This marked the fourth season in a row Embry-Riddle claimed victory in the season-opening contest and was the third-straight win over Georgia Southwestern.
 
There was no rust offensively for the Eagles as Embry-Riddle managed to put runners in scoring position in each of the first five innings with six hits but were unable to send one home.
 
Despite numerous scoring chances, it wasn't until the bottom of the fourth when the scoreless tie was broken. A hit batter and a single gave the Hurricanes runners on the corners when a wild pitch scored the baserunner on third for the opening run.
 
The Eagles immediately responded in the top of the fifth when Lia Johnson notched her third hit in a row. The speedy outfielder stole second, advanced to third on a flyout, and scored on a ground-ball error by the first baseman.
 
With the innings winding down, both teams appeared to be heading toward extra innings until the Embry-Riddle's ReAnne Drayton mashed a pitch to left center field for an RBI double to plate Lia Johnson. Mahaliyah Sandridge followed with a single to set up Gigi Auricchio for a two-run triple, the first three-bagger for the Eagles since March 4, 2020.
 
Georgia Southwestern provided some drama in the bottom of the seventh inning by loading the bases, but Mallory Kinahan shut the door to seal the win.
 
Kinahan worked through two solid innings of relief to earn the win in her first ever appearance in the circle as an Eagle. She kept the Hurricanes from recording a hit while also notching three strikeouts. Kelsi Collins was the starting pitcher but received a no-decision despite allowing only one run on four hits over five innings with a pair of whiffs.
 
Lia Johnson was perfect at the dish going three-for-three with a walk and two runs. She also tied the program record with three stolen bases.
 
The gates to the newly renamed Radiology Associates Field open next weekend for the Eagle Classic as Embry-Riddle invites Auburn-Montgomery, Tampa, and Valdosta State to Daytona Beach for a two-day tournament, the first home tournament for the Eagles since 2014. The action begins with an 11 a.m. meeting with Valdosta State on Friday, Feb. 11.