LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Southern College softball (11-33, 5-23 SSC) faced Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (24-25, 9-20 SSC) in the final regular season doubleheader at Chris Bellotto Field Friday night. The Moccasins dropped a pair of close contests that went back-and-forth throughout. The Eagles took game one 8-5 before squeezing out game two 4-3.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 5, EMBRY-RIDDLE 8
In the first game, Florida Southern opened the scoring in the first inning with junior
Gabby Young's single to center field. Sophomore
Emma Lucchesi followed with a single, advancing Young to second. Freshman
Hannah Lewis added another single, loading the bases for junior
Kate Mikle, who drove in Young with a single to center field. Sophomore
Keira Morris's single then brought Lewis home, giving the Moccasins a 2–1 lead after the first inning.
The Eagles responded by scoring in five different innings. In the third inning, Lewis singled and advanced to second on a stolen base. Mikle's single to center and a throwing error allowed Lewis to score, with senior
Alissa Kessler driving in Mikle to tie the game at 4–4. Young tripled in the fourth inning and scored on Lucchesi's groundout, narrowing the deficit to 7–5. Despite efforts in the later innings, Florida Southern could not overcome the early lead established by Embry-Riddle.
Young scored two runs and contributed two hits, including a triple. Lewis also scored twice, collected two hits, and stole a base, while Mikle finished with three hits and one RBI. Kessler recorded one hit and drove in a run. Sophomore
Shelby Savitt pitched 4.0 innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs, while redshirt sophomore
Ella Torres came in relief for 3.0 innings, conceding one earned run and striking out one.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 3, EMBRY-RIDDLE 4
In the second game, Embry-Riddle took control early, scoring three runs in the second inning. Mattea Martin singled and scored on a double by Shelby Morse, with Addison Orr's single and a sacrifice fly from Gianna Domenici bringing home Morse. Riley Sullivan added another run with a sacrifice fly, making it 3–0 after two innings. Florida Southern responded in the third inning with sophomore
Izzy Barrios scoring on an RBI single by Kessler to reduce the deficit to 3–1.
Embry-Riddle extended its lead in the sixth inning with a run scored by Emma Wood on a double by Morse for a 4–1 advantage. Florida Southern attempted a comeback with late runs in the sixth and seventh innings, including Barrios scoring on a double by Lewis, but ultimately fell short, finishing the game at 4–3.
Barrios scored twice and stole two bases, while Kessler led the offense with three hits and one RBI. Lewis added a double and drove in one run. Barrios also picked up the first two hits of her young career while going 2-4 at the plate. Sophomore
Des Aitken pitched a complete game, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Looking ahead, Florida Southern will close out the 2026 season versus Embry-Riddle tomorrow, May 9, at noon at Chris Bellotto Field in Lakeland, Florida. The Moccasins will hold a Senior Day ceremony prior to opening pitch so please arrive early to honor the three Moccasin seniors!
