PRESCOTT, ARIZ. – The Embry-Riddle softball team bounced back from a disappointing Friday in style, as they swept a thrilling doubleheader against Arizona Christian in the home opener. The Eagles won in an extra-innings walk-off in the first game, and then rallied for the sweep in the final game on Saturday.

Game 1: (RV)Embry-Riddle 4, Arizona Christian 3 (8 innings)

The Eagles held ACU to just four hits, but the Firestorm took advantage of those opportunities. Trailing 2-0 in the fifth, Arizona Christian got a two-run home run to tie a contest that ERAU seemingly had a good handle on.

The Firestorm also scored once in the top of the eighth, but Embry-Riddle finally broke through in a big way in the bottom of the eighth. Leah Salas led off and singled home the extra-innings runner at second to tie the game, then Salas came around to score the winning run when Autumn Sulusi singled to right field.

Sulusi had a big first game to start the day, going 3-for-4 with the game-winning RBI. Sulusi also doubled in the second inning, one of just three doubles in the contest.

Emma Almodoba also had a double, and was one of three Eagles to have a multi-hit game. Jaden Espinoza had two hits as well, and came around to score in the first run of the game on Almodoba's double.

Vanessa Brink had a solid start, allowing just three hits and striking out six over her 7.0 innings of work. Kate Delaney, who started the game at first base and picked up an RBI, earned the win while striking out a pair in the eighth inning.

Game 2: (RV) Embry-Riddle 9, Arizona Christian 6

The opening two innings of the contest were quiet, as both teams had baserunners but were unable to score. In a game that seemed like runs would be at a premium early turned into a shootout quickly.

Arizona Christian scored three runs in the top of the third, and Embry-Riddle mirrored that effort in the bottom half of the inning. After scoring a run on a wild pitch, consecutive hits by Almodoba (double) and Tatum Chestnut (single) tied the contest.

The Firestorm would score three more in the fourth inning, but the Eagles would only answer with two. ERAU entered the bottom of the fifth inning trailing by one, but would score the game's final runs to take over for good.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Eagles would score four times, with Delany and Salas delivering the big hits. Delaney doubled home a pair of runners to give ERAU a 7-6 lead, then Salas drilled a home run to dead center field to give her team a pair of insurance runs.

Over the final three innings, Arizona had just two baserunners as the pitching and defense put away an important victory. Claire Streeter pushed her record to 3-0 to start her career, racking up ten strikeouts over the 7.0 innings.

In game two, the Eagles had a quartet of players to record a multi-hit effort. Salas, Almodoba, Chestnut and Diana Miranda Montano each had a pair of hits, and that group also had half of the Embry-Riddle RBI to close out Saturday.

Embry-Riddle powered the ball often in the final game of the doubleheader, posting seven extra-base hits. Five different players smacked a double, while Lily Anderson also had a two-run home run in the fourth.

The Eagles will have a weekend away from games before seeing Arizona Christian again for a doubleheader. The next meeting will be in Glendale, Ariz. on Saturday, February 25.