DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Seven Embry-Riddle softball seniors, both past and present, were honored for their years of hard work and dedication on Friday night at Radiology Associates Field. A season-high 203 fans came out to celebrate
Savannah Brockenbrough,
Kelsi Collins,
ReAnne Drayton,
Jayla Jackson,
Lia Johnson,
Maggie Scott, and
Katy Thompson before the No. 21 Eagles' series-opener against Saint Leo (23-15, 11-11 Sunshine State Conference), a game that went down to the wire. Embry-Riddle (23-13, 14-8 SSC) mounted a late charge but came up short in the 4-3 loss in extra innings.
After a quick three-up-and-three-down first inning for both sides, the Lions used a leadoff single and hit batter to be in position to score the first run on a groundout.
Through the first three frames, the Eagles had only one baserunner until Drayton launched a ball over the center field fence to tie the game. Despite both teams putting runners in scoring position in two of the next three innings, neither could break the 1-1 stalemate in regulation.
It wasn't until the eighth when the two squads finally got things going at the dish. Saint Leo took advantage of three walks in the inning to score three runs and go up 4-1. With time fading, Embry-Riddle acted quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Each of the first four batters reached base thanks to a pair of errors, a walk, and a two-RBI single from
Lauren Latoria to bring the Eagles within one run.
The Blue and Gold had the tying run on third and the winning run on second with no outs, but could not muster any additional support. A fly ball to left field appeared deep enough for Scott to score on, but the potential tying run was thrown out at home in a game-ending double play.
Five different Eagles registered a single hit, led by Drayton's 1-for-4 day with two runs and an RBI.
Collins (16-6) picked up the loss after allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over eight innings of pitching. The senior also recorded seven strikeouts.
Embry-Riddle plays its final home games of the season tomorrow with a doubleheader against the Lions beginning at 1 p.m.
Embry-Riddle softball's series against Saint Leo is presented by Culvers.
