MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Florida Memorial University couldn't complete a sweep but still came away with an impressive weekend series win over visiting NCAA Division-II opponent Chestnut Hill College after splitting a doubleheader Saturday at Harry T. Moore Field.
The Lions (6-12) took the first game of the day, which began at 12 noon, 5-2 thanks to a two-RBI day from
Jouseph Renovales and a gem of a pitching performance from junior pitcher
Christian Rivera. FMU didn't have the same magic in the second game of the day, falling behind 2-0 early and ultimately losing 3-1.
Overall, Florida Memorial continued its dominance over the Griffins. Including Saturday's results – the Lions have a 7-3 all-time record against the Pennsylvania school.
Renovales had a hot bat in Saturday's opening game. His first-inning single brought
Jose Santana home for the Lions' first run in the bottom of the inning and he smacked a triple deep down the right-field line, which allowed
Argenis Hernandez to cross home plate – putting FMU up 3-1 in the bottom of the third.
Florida Memorial would take a 5-1 lead into the sixth inning before Chestnut Hill put another run on the board. Rivera closed the door on the Griffins in the top of the seventh and ended the game.
Renovales was one of three Florida Memorial batters to finish with two hits in the first game Saturday. "Reno" was 2-for-3 with his two RBI; Santana and
Rohandry Javier both went 2-for-4 with an RBI each; and
Yunior Sanchez was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two walks drawn.
On the mound, Rivera pitched a complete game – which was only seven innings – striking out three while keeping the Chestnut Hill batters in check with an array of off-speed pitches.
The second game of the day was got off to a rough start for the Lions, though.
Chestnut Hill was able to take a 2-0 lead in the top of first inning thanks to a throwing error that facilitated both runs coming in. Florida Memorial would end up with three errors in the second game.
FMU did cut its early deficit in half in the bottom of the second inning after
Nathan Llanes was able to score on a fielder's choice on a Hernandez groundout.
That second-inning run would be the only one the Lions would be able to manufacture during the second game while the Griffins tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh to create the final 3-1 margin.
Florida Memorial did total eight hits during the second game, but couldn't get any true momentum going at the plate.
Luis Angel Rivera finished a perfect 2-for-2 in game two while
Gabriel Marinez went for 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter.
Johnakiel Acosta was credited with the loss.
