REDDING Calif. – After scoring a 9-0 win in game one of a California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) softball doubleheader, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) softball team had to hold off a late rally by Simpson University to score a 7-6 victory to complete the sweep. Freshman Autumn Sulusi (Kaneohe, Hawai'i) had a big day at the plate, going 4-for-7 over the two games with five RBIs and two home runs.

Game 1

Junior Sam Holbert (Gilbert, Ariz.) accounted for the first two runs of the game for Embry-Riddle (14-9, 6-0 Cal Pac), slamming her second home run of the season in the second and doubling home a run in the third. The Eagles added a pair in the fifth on an error and an RBI single by sophomore Emma Almodoba (Tucson, Ariz.).

That was all that the Eagles would need as their pitching held Simpson to just three hits in the contest. Senior Kate Delaney (Fort Collins, Colo.) started and went four innings, allowing just a pair of hits and two walks while striking out six to earn the victory. Sophomore Vanessa Brink (Vail, Ariz.) closed it out, allowing just one hit and striking out a pair to earn the save.

Embry-Riddle put the game out of reach in the seventh, scoring five times. Delaney doubled in a pair before an out was recorded to make it 6-0. With two down junior Bradee Jeffery (Manteca, Calif.) doubled home Delaney before Sulusi iced it with her first home run of the season.

Game 2

Embry-Riddle broke through in the third inning in the second game, scoring three times. Sulusi led off with a double and moved to third on a ground out. Senior Diana Miranda Montano (Tucson, Ariz.) then singled and stole second before an error allowed Sulusi to score. The Eagles then loaded the bases for Delaney who drew a walk to bring home run two. Sophomore Lily Anderson (Flagstaff, Ariz.) then delivered the third run with a sac fly.

Simpson got back into it in the bottom of the sixth, scoring once on an error, and twice on a single with runners on second and third and two away. Embry-Riddle answered in the top of the seventh when the Eagles loaded the bases with no outs. The Redhawks almost got out of it, but Sulusi continued her big day with a single that plated a pair.

Those proved to be two big runs as Simpson rallied again in the bottom half of the inning, getting a lead off home run and a pair of run scoring doubles to pull to within a run at 7-6. But that would be all they would get as junior Marissa Sanchez (Denver, Colo.) got out of the jam by getting the final hitter on a ground out to short to end it.