Lions Nearly Upset No. 2 Southeastern, Falls 3-2 In Close Battle

Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. – More often than not, moral or morale victories come with a tough loss to swallow.

So, while the fact that Florida Memorial University's baseball team held a 2-1 lead over No. 2 Southeastern University through the eighth inning is a true feather in the team's cap, it stings all the more that it was an error that sank the Lions and allowed the Fire to escape with a 3-2 walk-off win Friday night in the opening game of a three-game weekend series at Ted A. Broer Stadium.

FMU took its 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning, and it held through the top of the eighth. Southeastern tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. The Lions, who will return to the diamond Saturday to complete the series against the Fire with a doubleheader set to begin at 12 p.m., couldn't break the tie in the top of the ninth after Luis Rivera, Jalen Young, and Axel Gomez lined out, popped up, and grounded out respectively.

Southeastern started the bottom of the ninth with a single to left. That hit put the go-ahead run on the base path and it was the one that was FMU's undoing. After another SEU hit to shallow left, the Fire baserunner took second and was able to charge into third base as a defensive shift moved the Lions' third baseman away from the bag.

The Fire baserunner then was able to dash towards home plate on a throwing error on the recovery throw to third base – giving Southeastern a "walk-off" 3-2 win.

The late defensive breakdown and loss Friday flecked what was one of the Lions' most solid performances this season.

Freshman pitcher Dawrin Ruiz went the distance on the mound for FMU (13-21, 6-16 The Sun Conference) and allowed just 7 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 9 and keeping the typically potent SEU lineup quiet Friday.

Four Lions batters recorded hits Friday – Young, Gomez, Rohandry Javier, and Yunior Sanchez – as the Fire's starting pitcher also had a strong night on the bump.

It was Javier that got the rally started for FMU in the top of the fourth, opening the inning with a single to second base. Manuel Mollinedo moved Javier over with a sacrifice bunt, then Sanchez recorded his lone hit of the day – which was a double to center – but Javier was thrown out at home plate.

Young was hit by a pitch and Rivera then drew a walk, loading the bases, and set up Gomez for a 2-RBI single to right field that brought home Sanchez and Rivera.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Axel Gomez: INF; 6' 2"; Junior

#1 Rohandry Javier: INF; 5' 8"; Junior

#13 Manuel Mollinedo: INF; 5' 9"; Senior

#6 Luis Rivera: INF; 5' 11"; Senior

#22 Yunior Sanchez: UTL; 5' 10"; Junior

#27 Jalen Young: OF/LHP; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#43 Dawrin Ruiz: RHP; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#7 Axel Gomez
: 6' 2"; Junior
: INF

#1 Rohandry Javier
: 5' 8"; Junior
: INF

#13 Manuel Mollinedo
: 5' 9"; Senior
: INF

#6 Luis Rivera
: 5' 11"; Senior
: INF

#22 Yunior Sanchez
: 5' 10"; Junior
: UTL

#27 Jalen Young
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: OF/LHP

#43 Dawrin Ruiz
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: RHP

Florida Memorial University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned