TAMPA, Fla. – Embry-Riddle softball dropped a tightly contested pitcher's duel, falling 1-0 to Tampa Friday night in Sunshine State Conference play at Naimoli Field.

Despite holding a 3-1 advantage in hits, the Eagles were dropped in what would be a deciding triple turned score due to a costly mistake in the second inning.

RECORDS
Embry-Riddle: 15-14 (1-9 SSC)
Tampa: 20-6 (7-3 SSC)

ALL-TIME SERIES

• Tampa leads the series 24-4 with the last two meetings being 1-0 decisions in favor of the Spartans.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After one and a half innings of scoreless action, Tampa plated a run as Hannah Yetter was brought home on a throwing error after batting a two-out triple to right field.
• Embry-Riddle gave up a pair of errors in the third frame, but Olivia Dougherty and company managed to close the inning with a pair of Spartans stranded as Dougherty notched her fourth strikeout of the game.
• Embry-Riddle collected hits from Vanessa Gilbert, Leah Oberkehr, and Mattea Martin in the final three innings of play.
• ERAU's best offering came in the sixth inning as a two-out bunt single from Oberkehr placed a runner on. The centerfielder was out attempting to advance to second on a fielder's choice from Emma Wood, stalling the potential rally.
• Defensively, ERAU showed resilience despite giving away four errors, settling in to keep the deficit at just one run with Dougherty striking out two of the three batters in the sixth inning.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Embry-Riddle led 3-1 in hits, batting .222 (2-for-9) with two outs.
• Tampa left four batters on base while Embry-Riddle left three.
• Dougherty pitched a complete game, recording six strikeouts on one hit and a walk on 80 total pitches.

NEXT UP

• The Eagles will continue the series with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. from Tampa.