SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. – The Embry-Riddle baseball team got a chance to see what a national contender looks like on Friday, as the Eagles are embarking on its first journey toward the NAIA National Tournament. ERAU lost twice at No. 13 Westmont to start a four-game series, and brought the Eagles' early-season record back to .500.

Game 1: #13 Westmont 14, Embry-Riddle 2

For the second time in three games, the Eagles had a difficult second inning that put them behind early. Westmont was able to score seven runs in the second inning, and held a 7-0 advantage until they scored again in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

Embry-Riddle finally got on the board in the ninth, as Travis Strickler had an RBI double and Roberto Garza-Nunez drove in a run with a single. Four different Eagles had a hit, as Luke Jepsen and Gavin Botts also had singles.

Game 2: #13 Westmont 12, Embry-Riddle 3

The Eagles struck first in this game, scoring twice on a pair of sacrifice flies. Westmont did answer right away, as they scored three in the bottom half of the inning and never gave the lead back.

Heading into the bottom of the fifth, ERAU scored on Miles Murphy's first career home run to cut its deficit to 6-3. Over the final two innings, Westmont scored three more times, including five in the bottom of the sixth.

In the second game of the day, five different Eagles recorded hits, including Travis Strickler recording his second double on Friday. Garza-Nunez and Drew Barrigan each drove in a run with their sacrifice flies in the first.

Embry-Riddle will have an opportunity for the series split on Saturday when they Westmont for another pair. The first game from Santa Barbara is scheduled to start at Noon AZT/11 a.m. PST.