GLENDALE, Ariz. — Embry-Riddle put together six innings of gritty, disciplined pitching on Saturday afternoon, but a late surge from Arizona Christian proved decisive as the Eagles fell 6–0 at ACU Baseball Field.
Embry-Riddle starter Kyle Riley delivered one of his sharpest outings of the season, keeping the Firestorm off balance and allowing just one unearned run across six innings. Riley scattered six hits, struck out four, and didn't issue a walk, working efficiently throughout his 72-pitch performance. The lone blemish came in the second inning, when a leadoff triple eventually came around to score on a groundout.
Offensively, the Eagles generated early opportunities but couldn't break through against ACU ace Tanner Kilbreath, who struck out nine across seven innings. Embry-Riddle opened the game with a spark when Konner Nelson singled to left field and later stole second — one of the Eagles' best early scoring chances. Nelson reached base twice on the day, also being hit by a pitch in the fifth.
Embry-Riddle continued to put runners aboard in the middle innings. Jake Lokos singled in the second, Miles Murphy added a base hit in the third, and Caden Truman delivered a two-out single in the fifth, but each time the Eagles were turned away. ACU's defense came up with timely plays, including catching two Eagles stealing and converting a pair of double plays.
The game remained a tight 1–0 duel until the bottom of the eighth, when Arizona Christian broke things open with a five-run inning. The Firestorm capitalized on a double, a wild pitch, and a series of well-placed singles to extend their lead.
Despite the late surge, the Eagles continued to compete to the final out. Relievers Brody Gundert, Samuel Pritchard, Braden Wilson, and Alexander Mullen all saw action, combining for three innings of work.
Embry-Riddle finished with five hits, led by Nelson, Murphy, Izaguirre, Lokos, and Truman. Defensively, the Eagles turned two double plays and committed just one error.
ERAU will be at home next week as the Eagles look to bounce back against Park with the first game of the series on Thursday afternoon at 2pm.
