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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Latoria_Swing_020324_594A4581
Cornnell Chu
3
Chadron St. CSC 0-2
11
Winner Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB 3-1
Chadron St. CSC
0-2
3
Final
11
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB
3-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Chadron St. CSC 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 6 1
Embry-Riddle (Fla.) ERAUSB 3 2 0 3 0 3 11 12 0

W: Wood, Emma (1-0) L: B. Levin (0-1)

Game Recap: Softball | | Kyrin Mayfield | @k_mayfield97

Latoria Powers Softball to 11-3 victory over Chadron State

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Lauren Latoria used a monster 4-for-4, five-RBI performance to help the Embry-Riddle softball team close out the Eagle Classic with an 11-3 victory over Chadron State in the first ever meeting between the two programs on Sunday night. In total, ERAU (3-1) amassed 12 hits, two of which were triples, and limited Chadron State (0-2) to just six. 

It was one of the program's greatest performances by Latoria as she tied for the second most RBIs in a single game in Eagle history, which was also the most by a member of the Blue and Gold in the program's NCAA DII-era, and she became just the ninth Eagle to record four or more hits in a contest. 

A trio of singles had Chadron State on the scoreboard in the top of the first. However, the damage could have been much worse if not for the high-IQ play made by shortstop Kerry O'Sullivan. With two runners in scoring position and only one out, O'Sullivan fielded a ground ball and faked a throw to first, hoping the runner on third would take off for home, which she did. O'Sullivan realized her deception worked, and threw home to Katriana Bain to apply the tag just in time. 

The home team immediately responded in the bottom half of the inning as Mia Macchia began the frame with a walk, and Emma Wood followed with a base knock. Latoria then stepped in and drilled a pitch to left to score Macchia. Delaney Morgan then followed with a triple that skipped down the left field line and rolled to the outfield fence, which brought Latoria in to score. Two batters later, Karina Ortiz-Munoz fired a laser right through the shortstop, allowing Morgan to make it a 3-1 contest. 

From there, Wood, in her first start inside the circle this season, locked in. She retired the next seven batters in order, which gave Embry-Riddle enough time to increase its lead to 5-1 in the second. Macchia executed the bunt of the century as she squared up and dropped a ball that slowly rolled down the third base line. The entire Chadron State infield watched in awe, hoping the ball would eventually roll foul, but for about ten seconds, it continued its journey along the right side of the line until it sat motionless in fair territory. That paved the way for a two-RBI single to left center by Latoria.

In the fourth, Chadron State cut into ERAU's lead with an inside-the-park-homerun, but the Blue and Gold added three more in the next half inning when Latoria tripled to right center to plate Macchia and Parker Ray. Soon after, Morgan put a ball in play which allowed pinch runner Leah Oberkehr to sprint home to make the score 8-2.

Back-to-back doubles reduced Embry-Riddle's lead to five in the top of the sixth. One batter into the bottom of the inning, lightning in the area forced a lengthy delay of about an hour and a half as a storm cell passed through the area. 

Both squads warmed up and returned to the field, and Embry-Riddle soon locked up the victory by triggering the run rule. 

After Isabelle Bonn scored from singles by Latoria and Morgan, Sydney Linn walked to load the bases and then Ortiz-Munoz was plunked by a pitch to score the tenth run of the game for the hosts. Kodi Alvord entered to pinch hit and took a patient approach at the plate to earn a bases-loaded base on balls to force home Linn for the winning run. 

Along with Latoria, Morgan also mashed at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a run and a career-best three RBIs. Macchia scored at will, racking up a personal-high three runs on two hits in three at-bats and a walk. 

Also of note, ERAU's 11 RBIs were tied for the ninth most in program history. 

Wood secured her first win of the year, lasting 4.2 innings in the circle and limiting Chadron State to two runs on four hits. Mallory Kinahan made a relief appearance of 1.1 innings and tallied a strikeout.

Next up for ERAU is the Embry-Riddle Invitational from Feb. 9-11 as the Eagles host No. 10 Tampa, RV West Alabama, Valdosta State, and Eckerd. The Blue and Gold begin the tournament with contests against the Tigers and Blazers on Feb. 9 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
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