SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – The inaugural game for Embry-Riddle baseball got off to a great start, as the first pitch in program history hit Gavin Botts to get the Eagles a baserunner. While ERAU had plenty of chances to score, and scratched across six runs, the San Diego Christian offense caught fire as the Hawks won 16-6 on Friday afternoon.

The Eagles took its first-ever lead when they scored four runs in the second, highlighted by Travis Strickler's bases-clearing triple. San Diego Christian responded with five runs in the bottom half of the second, and scored runs in five of the six innings the Hawks batted.

Embry-Riddle scored two more in the top of the seventh when Luke Jepsen hit his first career home run off Anthony Chiaramonte. The game was called after the top of the seventh due to darkness.

Both Strickler and Jepsen had a pair of hits and RBI each. The Eagles drew six walks, and Botts got on twice, once on the HBP and once via the free pass.

ERAU hits the field again on Saturday to wrap up its three-game series with San Diego Christian. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled 11 a.m.