LONGWOOD, Fla. – A four-run seventh inning propelled the Embry-Riddle softball team to its second-best start in program history as the Eagles (3-1) came from behind to beat RV Wingate (2-1) by a score of 4-3 at the Panther Invitational. However, ERAU dropped the second contest of the day 2-0 to No. 4 Auburn Montgomery (3-3). All games were held at Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, Fla.
 
The competition kicked off a difficult stretch for the program. Including today, 15 of the Eagles' next 18 games are against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the NFCA preseason poll.
 
 
GAME 1 | Embry-Riddle – 4, RV Wingate – 3
 
While the Eagles struggled to produce runs, Wingate found success in the very first inning with two singles and a walk to put Embry-Riddle behind 1-0 early on. The Bulldogs took advantage of an error in the third to plate an additional run, doubling the Eagle deficit. A third Wingate runner crossed the plate in the fourth on a homerun which forced the Blue and Gold to have to accumulate at least three runs in less than nine outs.
 
Delaney Morgan gave the Eagles hope in the top of the sixth with a leadoff double and an advancement to third on the throw. Unfortunately, ERAU was unable to bring her home, and the deficit remained at three into the final frame.
 
The Eagles were down to their final out when they started one of the most incredible comebacks in program history. A hit batter and then a single from Mia Macchia, the first of five consecutive hits for ERAU, put a pair of runners on. Mahaliyah Sandridge and Morgan followed with base knocks to tie the game, and Karina Ortiz-Munoz came through with a hit to score Morgan and give the Eagles a 4-3 lead, which turned out to be the winning run.
 
Most of the offense was produced from the bats of Sandridge and Morgan as both went 3-for-4 with a double. It was the fourth time Sandridge recorded three or more hits in a single game, and it was a career high for Morgan.
 
Mallory Kinahan (2-0) earned a complete-game victory. She held the Bulldogs to three runs, only two of which were earned, on eight hits, two walks and three strikeouts.
 
Oddly enough, this was the first occasion in program history that ERAU battled a team that was unranked but receiving votes in the national poll.
 
In terms of the all-time series, this was just the second meeting between the two programs. Embry-Riddle won the first 7-4 in 2020. Both will meet again in exactly two weeks at the NFCA DII Leadoff Classic.
 
 
GAME 2 | Embry-Riddle – 4, No.4 Auburn Montgomery – 3
 
Once again, Embry-Riddle and Auburn Montgomery met in an early-season tournament after splitting two games at last year's Eagle Classic. Like last time, the Warhawks grabbed the first contest. ERAU had the better bats, which was evident when looking at the hit column that read 4-2 in favor of the Blue and Gold, but that doesn't always translate into more runs. The Eagles even managed to put a batter on base in six of the seven innings.
 
Shelby Morse performed well inside the circle in her first career start. The freshman retired the first seven batters in order and held AUM hitless through the first 3.1 innings. However, the Warhawks didn't even need a hit to score a run as they used a walk, two stolen bases and a sacrifice bunt to put Embry-Riddle behind 1-0 in the third. Another sac bunt made it 2-0 in favor of Auburn Montgomery in the fifth.
 
Morgan managed to get to third in the sixth inning, almost an exact replica of the previous game, although she would remain stranded there.
 
Five different Eagles notched a hit in the game, including Emma Wood, who received her first collegiate start. In the circle, Morse (0-1) was credited with the loss but only allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk.
 
It was just the second time Embry-Riddle faced a team ranked inside the top five.
 
The two squads have a rematch on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Eagles will then close out the Panther Invitational with a game against West Florida at 3:30 p.m. However, it's to be determined if the weather will cooperate. There's a decent chance of showers beginning at 1 p.m. and lasting the rest of the day.