PRESCOTT, Ariz. – It was a tale of big innings on Friday night when, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) softball split with the leaders of the California Pacific Conference, Marymount California as both teams exploded for big innings in both games, ERAU would take the first 8-7 and lose the second 9-3.
Game one started as a pitchers dual before both teams erupted for 15 runs in the middle innings. Mikaeli Davidson (FR/Tempe, Ariz.) was cruising along for the Eagles going through the first three innings without breaking a sweat before ERAU (17-17, 11-3 Cal Pac) put up a four spot in the third.
A pair of leadoff singles by Zoe Streadbeck (SO/Ewa Beach, Hawaii) and Bailey Critchlow (SR/Stockton, Utah) set the inning up for Davidson who drove in Streadbeck. Haley Basye (SO/Tucson, Ariz.), Aleena Alexander (FR/Tucson, Ariz.) and Mikendra Kramar (SO/Livermore, Calif.) added consecutive hits to bring in three more runs.
Marymount (25-13, 11-3 Cal Pac) finally got to Davidson in the fourth and added four runs of their own to get right back into the game. Fortunately, the Eagles got three runs back on a big Davidson homerun that caught the wind and got over the centerfield fence. ERAU put together a couple of hits afterward and were able to set Carly Carlsen (JR/Littleton, Colo.) up to drive in another run.
MCU came back and struck for three more runs in the next inning. Davidson calmed down after the fifth and eased into her 11th win of the season with a one –two-three seventh inning, winning 8-7.
Game two would not start the way that the Eagles wanted as the Mariners put up four in the second inning after a two run homerun. Critchlow added one in the second with a clutch single to center to bring the Eagles closer.
Embry-Riddle kept inching back by getting another run from Kramar's fielder's choice to score Davidson. Alexander knocked Davidson in again on a double to the centerfield wall and ERAU was only down one.
After an intentional walk to load the bases, MCU hit a three-run double followed by a two-run bomb to retain control and momentum. ERAU could not find a way to get back in it late and they dropped game two, 9-3.
Davidson was the star at the dish today, 6-7 with four runs and a big three-run homerun to help the Eagles win game one.
ERAU has another set with the Mariners Saturday on Senior Day at the ball park, game one will start at 10:00 am PST.
