MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Despite a great effort in the middle innings, the Embry-Riddle softball team dropped the series opener at Barry on Friday, 6-3. The Eagles (4-5) held the Buccaneers (8-5) without a hit for four innings, but BU ultimately used a big sixth inning to claim the win.
 
Earning her fourth start of the Blue & Gold's 2024 campaign was Ava Domenici. After Barry scored a pair of one-out runs in the bottom of the first frame, the sophomore hurler really settled in, collecting four strikeouts in four innings, in front of some good defense by the Eagles fielders. Domenici finished with six strikeouts on the evening.
 
With Barry holding a 2-0 lead into the top of the fourth, the Eagles struck quickly. The bats came alive as Karina Ortiz-Munoz and Delaney Morgan each singled up the middle to put runners on first and second. Pinch hitting for Vanessa Gilbert, Katriana Bain pulled a well-struck ball off the right field wall, inches away from a home run, to even the ledger at 2-2.
 
The Eagles held the Buccaneers at bay for two more innings, but Barry collected four runs, including a three-run home run, to move ahead 6-2 in the sixth. In the seventh, the Eagles attempted a dig out of the hole as Leah Oberkehr came on to pinch run after Gianna Domenici drew a leadoff walk. Oberkehr then stole second before coming home on a Shelby Morse grounder, but that would be it for a comeback bid.
 
ERAU is back Saturday for a doubleheader with Barry beginning at noon.