PRESCOTT, Ariz. - The battle for the Cal Pac title took place with the 2023 Cal Pac defending champions, #1 Embry-Riddle.

The Red Hawks managed to put two runners aboard as Amy LeGrande reached base on an ERAU error and Nicolena Holen drew a base on balls. But the Eagles wiggled out of trouble as they held Simpson off the board. 

Simpson starter Jacquelyn Lujan looked to avenge her loss against Embry-Riddle and move her squad into the winner-take-all game. 

The Red Hawks drew first blood in the top of the second inning as an infield single by Marissa Ramirez came around to score on a wild pitch. 

But the Eagles answered back and took the 3-1 lead on a three-run blast to left field. 

Simpson looked to chip away as a one-out single by shortstop Holle Jamison came around to score on a triple by Kayley Vaillette to make it a one-run game. 

However, the long ball doomed Simpson as ERAU homered in the fifth and sixth innings to make it a 5-2 game. 

With its season on the line, Amy LeGrande singled in what proved to be her final collegiate at-bat. 

Followed by a two-out RBI double by Cailey Rizzardo in her final collegiate at-bat as well. 

This brought the tying run to the plate but the Eagles closer shut the door and converted the save for the 5-3 victory. 

The Red Hawks mustered six hits from six different players and included two extra-base hits from Cailey Rizzardo and Kayley Vaillette. 

With the loss, Simpson finishes runner-up to the 2024 Cal Pac Champions and #1 seed, Embry-Riddle. 

Simpson is also saying goodbye to five seniors; Cailey Rizzardo, Marissa Ramirez, Amy LeGrande, Kylee Potes and Kimberlee Walston. 

The Red Hawks look to build around key returning players, All-Conference and Freshman of the Year Madyson Welch, All-Conference Outfielder Nicolena Holen, All-Defense (C) Ariel Schulzkump, and starters Kayley Vaillette, Adriana Delaney, and Jacquelyn Lujan.