DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Florida Southern College baseball (25-21, 14-13) fell to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (24-24, 14-14) with a final score of 6–5 on a late Friday night at Sliwa Stadium.
After weather delays pushed back the start time, Florida Southern took an early lead in the first inning.
Ryan Jenkins walked and later scored on a wild pitch, with
Eric Harrison Jr. reaching third base on a single.
Carson Brady walked to load the bases, and
Brock Budacki followed with a walk to bring in Jenkins.
Cory Filley added another run with a bases-loaded walk, scoring Harrison. The inning concluded with Florida Southern ahead 2-0.
Embry-Riddle responded in the third inning. Aiken Santana doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Collin Mastromauro, cutting Florida Southern's lead to 2-1 after three innings.
In the fourth, ERAU tied the game. Aidan Corn doubled and scored on a fielding error, making it 2-2 through four innings.
The Moccasins regained the lead in the fifth inning.
Mikey Scott doubled and scored on Budacki's triple, putting Florida Southern up 3-2 after five innings.
ERAU leveled the score again in the seventh. Max McClusky doubled and scored on a single by Collin Mastromauro, tying the game at 3-3 through seven innings.
In the eighth, FSC pushed ahead with two runs. Budacki was hit by a pitch and scored on a single by
Brady Doorey. Filley, who reached on an intentional walk, scored on a sacrifice fly by Jenkins, giving Florida Southern a 5-3 lead after eight innings.
The Eagles rallied in the ninth inning. Collin Mastromauro's two-RBI single tied the game, and Cole Bullen's RBI single secured the win for ERAU. The final score was Embry-Riddle 6, Florida Southern 5.
Budacki led the team with two hits, including a triple, and drove in two runs. Scott contributed with two hits and added a double to his performance.
Sachem Ramos pitched 6 1/3 innings, striking out four in his start.
Casey O'Dell provided relief with two innings pitched, recording three strikeouts.
Aidan Kelley faced a challenging outing, suffering the loss in the final frame.
Looking ahead, Florida Southern will wrap up the regular season with a doubleheader tomorrow, May 9, beginning at 12 p.m. ET at Sliwa Stadium in Daytona Beach.
