Embry-Riddle softball delivered late-game heroics and eight innings of grit on Sunday afternoon, rallying from an early deficit to defeat La Sierra 4–3 in walk-off fashion at Eagle Softball Field in game 1 of the day and the Eagles took the second game 8-5 to sweep the series.
Game 1
La Sierra struck first, capitalizing on an early defensive miscue to plate two unearned runs in the opening frame. But from that moment forward,
Ava Greene completely locked in. The freshman right-hander went the distance, tossing 8.0 innings, allowing just six hits, one earned run, and striking out three while issuing only one walk. Greene faced just 33 batters and threw 96 pitches, keeping the Eagles within striking distance all afternoon.
ERAU's offense broke through in the third when
Leah Salas launched a no-doubt homer to center, trimming the deficit to 2–1.
After La Sierra added a run in the fourth, the Eagles continued to chip away. In the seventh, trailing 3–1, Embry-Riddle mounted a crucial rally.
Annalie Castanon singled,
Briseis Ramirez came in as a pinch runner, and
Ryan Da Costa delivered a clutch RBI single to center. Moments later, aggressive baserunning forced a throwing error that allowed Castanon to score the tying run.
Knotted at 3–3, the game moved to extras with Greene retiring La Sierra scoreless in the top of the eighth.
In the bottom half, Jade Bayless started the inning on second via the tiebreaker rule. After two quick outs, Briseis Ramirez stepped to the plate and delivered the moment of the day—roping a single to center to bring Bayless home and seal the walk-off victory.
Game 2
Embry-Riddle softball capped off its Sunday doubleheader with another strong performance, powering past La Sierra 8–5. The Eagles scored in five of six offensive innings, using a balanced attack and timely pitching from Presley Daniel and Ava Greene to secure the sweep.
La Sierra opened the game with two unearned runs in the first, but ERAU answered immediately. After Annalie Castanon led off with a single, the Eagles strung together three straight productive at-bats. Jill Bock put ERAU on the board with an RBI single, and Jade Bayless followed with a run-scoring knock to tie the game at 2–2.
ERAU took control in the second, capitalizing on pressure and La Sierra miscues. Castanon singled again, Ryan Da Costa doubled, and both runners came home when Leah Salas reached on an error, pushing the Eagles ahead 4–2.
After La Sierra threatened in the third, the Eagles added two more in the fourth. Da Costa singled and stole second, and Salas delivered an RBI single to left. Moments later, Tori Tlilayatzi was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run, extending the lead to 6–2.
La Sierra clawed back with two in the fifth, but ERAU responded again in the sixth. Jade Bayless ripped an RBI double to center, and Joy Sanchez followed with an RBI single to left to make it 8–4.
In the circle, Presley Daniel earned the win with 4.1 innings of work, allowing just two earned runs. Greene entered in the fifth and shut the door, earning her first save of the season with 2.2 innings, two strikeouts, and just one run allowed.
Embry-Riddle will head to Mesa next week as GSAC play continues against Benedictine.
