TUCSON, Ariz. – A slow start to the season might be turning around after Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) softball got their first win in the 2019 campaign when they beat Presentation (S.D.), 5-0, and played well against No. 24 Jamestown (N.D.) but ultimately lost 4-1.

ERAU (1-7) was instantly put into a hole after the first inning of their matchup with JU (8-4) who scored on an error. Nothing would come to in the second for either team until Mackenzie Rod (JR/Tucson, Ariz.) pinch hit in the top of the third and smacked a triple to score a pinch running Caeden McKelvey (FR/Prescott, Ariz.). Mikaeli Davidson (FR/Tempe, Ariz.) would walk the tight rope in the bottom half and got out of a bases loaded jam unscathed. Four hits and two errors in the bottom of the fifth by the Jimmies resulted in three more runs and that would be it for either team.

It was a slow start for both teams in the Eagles second game although they had chances to get on the board early. In the bottom half of the first ERAU had the bases loaded but couldn't scratch one across. Carly Carlsen (JR/Littleton, Colo.) was excellent and didn't have too much traffic on the bases throughout the seven inning affair. The fifth was the turning points for the Eagles when they plated four runs on two hits. Aleena Alexander (FR/Tucson, Ariz.) came up clutch and singled up the box to score two of the four ruins. Rylee Payton (SR/Lacey, Wash.) would add the fifth and final run for ERAU in the next inning with a single to right.

Carlsen was the star of the day throwing a complete game – shutout on four hits and five strikeouts. Davidson was solid once again giving up only two earned runs striking out seven in six innings of work against a good Jamestown team.

Riddle continues their play in the Tucson Invitational on Monday (3/4) when they take on Indiana Wesleyan at 9:00 am MST and Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) at 11:00 am MST.