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DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton softball team picked up the 9-5 win over Eastern Michigan Friday evening in the first game of the Flyers Spring Classic at UD Softball Stadium. Senior Kasi Vazquez and junior Tiffany Ricks each knocked out a home run, including Ricks' game-winner in the fifth inning.

Freshman Katie Ryan along with Vazquez and Ricks each tallied two hits and scored two runs on the afternoon. The Flyers out-hit the Eagles, 8-6, and scored in five of six innings.

After a scoreless first inning, Dayton (7-12) put up a two-spot in the second inning on an RBI-double from senior Dana Trotta that plated Ricks and sophomore Kennedy Haynes scored on an Eagle error. Eastern Michigan (6-14) gave up two more runs to Dayton in the third on a two-run blast from Vazquez that gave the Flyers the 4-0 advantage.

The Eagles got on the board in the top of the fourth with a five-spot to take over the lead, 5-4. After back-to-back walks, an EMU double brought in one run followed by a two-RBI double. With a runner on second, Mady Hostetler set a ball sailing over the left-center fence for the Eagles first lead of the contest.

The Flyers got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when freshman Katie Ryan was able to cross the plate on an Eagle miscue. Dayton retook the lead in the fifth as Ricks led off the frame with a home run. The Flyers would not relinquish the advantage.

Dayton tallied three insurance runs in the sixth inning, beginning with senior Jordan Jennings' RBI-single that plated Ryan and freshman Hannah DeSalvo made it across on an Eagle error. Jennings made it around to home plate on an EMU wild pitch to round out the scoring for the contest, giving Dayton the 9-5 advantage which would prove to be the final margin.

Junior Kayla English (3-5) was credited with the win as the pitcher of record when Dayton regained its lead. She tossed the final three innings of the game, striking out one and walking one while giving up one hit. Freshman Gabrielle Snyder started the game in the circle for the Flyers, working four complete innings with one strikeout, three walks and five earned runs.

Lindsay Rich (2-7) was charged with the loss for Eastern Michigan. She tossed 4.1 innings for the Eagles, striking out two and walking three while giving up four earned runs on six hits.

Saturday, March 15 features three games for the 2014 Dayton Flyers Spring Classic. Dayton will square off against Oakland at approximately 4:30 p.m. at UD Softball Stadium. Eastern Michigan will get the action started against Oakland at noon Saturday. Admission is free and the C'est Cheese Food Truck will be at the field tomorrow 12-2.