Embry-Riddle played two close games against OUAZ but lost both as the Spirit took the first game 6-3 and the second game 5-4 at Surprise Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Game 1
The game started with OUAZ taking an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Embry-Riddle responded in the top of the second inning. Blake Moore singled to left field, followed by another single through the left side by Connor Rosinski. With the bases loaded, Caden Truman singled to right field, bringing Moore home and putting the Eagles on the board. However, the Eagles were unable to capitalize further, leaving three runners stranded.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, OUAZ extended their lead to 5-1.
The Eagles showed resilience in the top of the fourth inning. After a single by Fernando Perez-Ortega and a walk to Truman, Konner Nelson walked to load the bases. Miles Murphy then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Kaden Menard, who had pinch-run for Perez-Ortega. This brought the score to 5-2.
OUAZ added another run in the bottom of the seventh inning increasing the Spirit's lead to 6-2.
In the top of the ninth inning, the Eagles made one last push. After a walk to Truman, Murphy doubled to left field, bringing Truman home and narrowing the gap to 6-3. However, the rally was cut short as the Spirit held on for the win.
Embry-Riddle's starting pitcher, Brody Gundert, pitched 5.1 innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits, with one strikeout. Jonah Montes came in relief, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing one unearned run on two hits, with three strikeouts.
Game 2
Just like the first game, OUAZ scored first, taking the lead in the bottom of the second inning. The Spirit added another run in the 3rd and one in the 4th as they lead 3-0.
Embry-Riddle struggled to find their rhythm early on, however, the Eagles' persistence paid off in the fifth inning. After a walk to Murphy and a ground-rule double by James Warren, Owen Cain doubled down the right field line, driving in two runs. Rosinski then singled to right center, scoring Jonah Montes, who had pinch-run for Cain, tying the game at 3-3.
OUAZ responded quickly in the bottom of the fifth inning with two runs to retake the lead at 5-3.
The Eagles continued to fight back in the top of the sixth inning. After a walk to Truman and another walk to Menard, Murphy singled through the left side, loading the bases. Warren then flied into a double play, but Truman managed to score, narrowing the gap to 5-4.
Despite their efforts, the Eagles were unable to score in the seventh inning.
Embry-Riddle's starting pitcher, Spencer Rego, pitched 4.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits, with three strikeouts. Zack Bauer came in relief, pitching 2.0 innings and allowing two earned runs on two hits, with three strikeouts.
Embry-Riddle will host Arizona Christian next weekend with the first game starting at 12pm on Friday at Eagle Baseball Field.
