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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Bianco_031123_IMG_7123
Maggie Allen
4
Winner Hillsdale HC 7-8
3
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB 14-11
Winner
Hillsdale HC
7-8
4
Final
3
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB
14-11
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Hillsdale HC 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 4 7 3
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 1

W: J. Russell (4-3) L: Morse, Shelby (4-8)

4
Queens (N.Y.) QUES 1-7
5
Winner Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB 15-11
Queens (N.Y.) QUES
1-7
4
Final
5
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB
15-11
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Queens (N.Y.) QUES 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 4 7 0
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 5 8 0

W: Kinahan, Mallory (8-3) L: D. Budakowsk (0-2)

Game Recap: Softball | | Kyrin Mayfield | @k_mayfield97

Softball Concludes Homestand With Four-Run Bottom of the Seventh Comeback Against Queens; Eagles Split Pair of Games on Saturday

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - As if Friday's games weren't enough entertainment, the Embry-Riddle softball team provided more thrilling action on Saturday at Radiology Associates Field with a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over Queens (N.Y.) after a 4-3 setback to Hillsdale. Down three in the bottom of the seventh, the Eagles (15-11) rallied for four runs against the Knights (1-7) to record the team's fourth walk-off win, or fifth if you count mercy-rule victories, in four days. 


GAME 1 | Hillsdale - 4, Embry-Riddle - 3

For much of the day, Embry-Riddle struggled to get the bats going. The Eagles did manage to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first, but all those runs were unearned. Mahaliyah Sandridge got on with a leadoff walk and scored soon after as the Chargers' third baseman sent a throw skipping across the dirt and into right field. A fielding mishap by Hilldale's pitcher led to Mia Macchia scoring on the next play. Lastly, Raissa Bianco singled home Lauren Latoria with a blooper to center. 

The Chargers (7-8) bit into the Eagles' lead in the third as a bases-loaded fielder's choice to third base took Hillsdale's goose egg off the scoreboard. 

Kelsey Kressler came up big for Embry-Riddle in the fifth after the Chargers recorded a one-out triple. The sophomore corralled a ground ball at third and rifled a throw to Isabelle Bonn at home to tag out a runner attempting to score. 

Unfortunately, Hillsdale took a 4-3 lead with a three-run inning in the sixth on two singles, two walks and a fielding error. The Eagles were unable to string together a strong offensive inning from that point on.

Bianco was the only member of the Blue and Gold to notch more than one hit in the game. She was a perfect 2-for-2 with two stolen bases and an RBI. The freshman earned season highs in both hits and swiped bags.

In the circle, Shelby Morse (4-8) was handed the loss after allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts. Emma Wood entered in relief in the sixth and recorded the final four outs with just two hits allowed.


GAME 2 | Queens - 4, Embry-Riddle - 5

The offensive woes continued in the nightcap against a Queens squad who was no-hit by Hillsdale in the 2 p.m. contest. 

Ava Domenici made just her second start of the season in the circle and was in peak form after the first couple batters. After the first two outs were recorded in the top of the first, Domenici rang up the next three Knights and five of the following seven. 

The third inning saw both squads break into the run column. First, Queens scored a pair with a trio of base knocks and a sacrifice bunt. Then in the bottom half of the inning, the Eagles cut the deficit in half when Katriana Bain led off with a double and touched home on a groundout by Kerry O'Sullivan. 

While the Knights added another run in the fourth, ERAU was unable to put a batter on base for the next two innings until Macchia doubled in the sixth, though she would eventually be left stranded on third. 

An insurance run was added by Queens in the seventh, making the score 4-1. However, Embry-Riddle had overcome two deficits already during the week and erased a three-run deficit in the seventh earlier in the season against Wingate. Once again, the Eagles were up to the tall task. 

Delaney Morgan was hit by a pitch to start the frame. Then Emma Wood singled off the pitcher's shin. Bianco pinch hit and sent a grounder to third, scoring Morgan. Mallory Kinahan followed with a bunt single to put the tying run on base. A sacrifice bunt by O'Sullivan scored Wood and pushed Kinahan to third. The next batter, Sandridge, tied the game with a single to right. With two outs and a full count, Macchia unloaded on a pitch to deep center which allowed Sandridge to race around and score the winning run. 

The three run deficit was tied for the eight-largest comeback in program history and was the fifth time ever the Eagles put up four runs in the seventh to earn a walk-off win. 

Macchia was perfect at the dish with a 3-for-3 game, two stolen bases, and an RBI. Two of those hits were doubles, a new single-game career high. Also of note, Wood went 2-for-3 with a run.

Domenici completed three innings in the circle and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with a career-high five strikeouts. Kinahan (8-3) received the win after entering in the fourth inning. She held Queens to one run on three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. The two pitchers combined for seven strikeouts, a single-game team high in 2023.

From here on out, it's nothing but Sunshine State Conference play for Embry-Riddle as the Eagles head to No. 22 Saint Leo for a three-game series. Game one is Friday, March 17 at 6 p.m. at the University Softball Stadium.
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