ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - An early lead disappeared late in game one of a doubleheader as the Triton softball team was swept by Embry-Riddle, 3-2 and 7-3, to wrap up a weekend series at the Turley Athletic Complex.
Eckerd took a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning of the first game, but the Eagles scored three times in the fifth. Â The Tritons missed their opportunity to tie the game in the sixth, stranding two runners.
In the finale, ERAU used a four-run third to build a 5-1 lead then added two more in the fourth. Â Eckerd scored twice in the sixth but left the bases loaded before stranding two more runners in the seventh.
HOW IT ENDED
Game 1
Final: Embry-Riddle 3, Eckerd 2
WP: Hop (1-0) Â LP: Van Gennep (3-5) Â HR: Garcia (4)
Game 2
Final: Embry-Riddle 7, Eckerd 3
Records: Embry-Riddle 6-2 (3-0 SSC); Eckerd 3-8 (0-3 SSC)
WP: Andringa (4-2) Â LP: Willeck (0-1)
KEY MOMENTS
Game 1
- Eckerd scored first in the opener on a solo home run by Crystal Garcia, her fourth of the year, in the bottom of the third. Â The Tritons tacked on another run in the fourth on a two-out RBI double by Chelsea Armstrong.
- ERAU's Maggie Scott delivered an RBI single in the top of the fifth to start a two-out rally. Â Scott stole second, then scored the tying run on Kailah Rain's single. Â Rain later scored the go-ahead run after advancing on two wild pitches.
- The Tritons had the tying run in scoring position in the sixth after Meredith McGinnis walked and Dana Paul singled, but ERAU pitcher Lisa Hop coaxed a pair of pop-ups to escape the inning. Â She then retired the side in order in the seventh with three more pop-ups in the infield.
Game 2
- Eckerd again scored first, this time in the bottom of the first inning when a dropped fly ball in right field allowed Nikole Van Gennep to score from first.
- The Eagles tied the game with a run in the second, then plated four runs in the third in five hits and an error. Â Four of the first five batters in the inning singled before Janna Gaburo limited the damage in relief.
- ERAU extended its lead to 7-1 in the fourth with three straight two-out hits.
- The Tritons stranded two runners in the fourth and left the bases loaded in the sixth, but not before scoring twice. Â Garcia was hit by a pitch with the bases full to bring in Emily Sawin, and Hannah Famiano's infield single drove in Avery Wakefield.
- Eckerd threatened again in the seventh after a Dana Paul single preceded a Chelsea Armstrong walk to open the inning. Â However, both runners were stranded as the Tritons left a total of 12 runners on base in the game.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Garcia's home run in the opener was her fourth of the season. Â No Triton hit more than five last year.
- Eckerd tallied eight hits off Andringa in both games she pitched in the series. Those were the most she had allowed in a game all season.
- Armstrong's double in the opener moved her into a tie for 10th place in program history for career doubles.
UP NEXT
The Tritons visit Florida Southern next weekend for a three-game conference series beginning on Friday at 7:00 PM.