DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle softball opened the 2026 season with a pair of games on Friday at the Embry-Riddle Softball Field, dropping both in the final games of opening-day action of the Embry-Riddle Invitational.
ERAU fell in the season opener to Pittsburg State, dropping a 6-0 decision before slipping short in a 6-5 battle against Ferris State.
Game 1 | Embry-Riddle – 0, Pittsburg State – 6
RECORDS
Embry-Riddle: 0-1
Pittsburg State: 2-0
ALL-TIME SERIES
- This was the first meeting between the two teams.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless two-and-a-half innings, the Eagles registered the first hit in the bottom of the third with a single from Vanessa Gilbert.
- Embry-Riddle added another hit in the fourth inning with an Emma Wood base hit but left the senior utility player stranded at second after a stolen base.
- Pittsburg State struck first in the fifth inning, plating four runs on four hits, leaving the bases loaded in the process.
- The Gorillas scored three runs on Shelby Morse before forcing ERAU to change arms to Ava Domenici who gave up the fourth run.
- PSU added two more to the tally in the sixth inning, with a two-RBI single to advance the edge to six runs.
- ERAU registered one final hit of the game with a single from Leah Oberkehr.
INSIDE THE STATS
- Pittsburg State outhit Embry-Riddle 7-3 and held the advantage in batting average, .269 to .125.
- The Gorillas produced all six RBI with two outs.
- Morse picked up the loss, tossing 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks, striking out one.
Game 2 | Embry-Riddle – 5, Ferris State 6
RECORDS
Embry-Riddle: 0-2
Ferris State: 2-0
ALL-TIME SERIES
- This was the third time the two programs have met and the first meeting since 2016.
- ERAU is 1-2 against Ferris State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first inning proved to be a perfect preview of how the nightcap would play out as both teams scored a run to open.
- Ferris State took advantage of a leadoff double to reach base before advancing the runner on a ground out.
- The Bulldogs took the 1-0 lead by stealing home, taking advantage of a defensive miscue from the Eagles.
- Embry-Riddle returned the favor in the bottom half of the frame, placing a leadoff bunt into play followed by a pair of stolen bases from Oberkehr.
- ERAU leveled the game with an RBI base hit from Wood, the first of the season and Wood's 72nd of her career.
- Wood threatened in the third inning with a two-out double but ended up stranded to end back-to-back scoreless innings.
- The Bulldogs took control of the score in the fourth by taking advantage of an error and a sacrifice fly to lead 2-1.
- The bats from Embry-Riddle lit up in the bottom half of the fourth, producing four hits and plating three runs in the process.
- Addison Orr opened with a leadoff double and was eventually brought in on an RBI single from Riley Sullivan.
- Vanessa Gilbert and Sullivan were both brought home on a single from Ava Arnold to capture a 4-2 lead.
- Ferris State responded with an equalizing fifth inning, scoring on an RBI double and a wild pitch.
- The back-and-forth action continued in the bottom of the frame as a three-hit inning from the Eagles helped in scoring the go-ahead run.
- Orr and Gilbert both bagged base hits before Sierra Lipton knocked in an RBI single with two outs.
- The Bulldogs leveled the game at 5-5 with a leadoff homer before putting together another score from a triple and a sacrifice bunt to move to a 6-5 lead.
INSIDE THE STATS
- Embry-Riddle outhit Ferris State 11-7 and held an edge on batting average, .344-.280.
- Four Eagles produced two hits for the game in Wood, Orr, Gilbert, and Sullivan.
- Arnold led with two RBI – the first of her career in her debut weekend.
- Olivia Dougherty picked up the start, pitched for six innings and recorded the loss.
- Dougherty gave up six runs on seven hits, walking four batters and striking out four.
NEXT UP
- Embry-Riddle will sit out of day two of the invitational and will finish the weekend on Sunday with a 2:00 p.m. ET matchup against Columbus State followed by a 4:30 p.m. ET game against Mount Olive.