THOMASVILLE, Ga. | Florida Memorial took two of three games on the road in a weekend series to defeat Thomas in SUN action. The victory in game three marks the third conference win of the season as the Lions improve to 13-10 on the season.
Game One / Game Two
FMU 2 - Thomas 9 / FMU 6 - Thomas 2
While a 9-2 loss to the Thomas Night Hawks did not go according to plan, the battle tested Lions made a statement in game two with a 6-2 win that included a
Reinaldo Prieto home run in the top of the fifth inning.
The Lions struggled to generate runs in their game one loss, but a late game home run by
Nathan Harris looked to be a sign of things to come in game two. FMU generated a total of two home runs in the first two games against Thomas. After eight innings, FMU led by a slim margin of 3-1, but in the end, the Lions put the game away when it mattered most. A trio of runs in the ninth, scored by
Pheron Charlton,
Levis Aguila, and
Elijah Jordan capped off the Lions win and tied the series 1-1.
FMU starting pitcher Max Charnin got the nod in game one, allowing only two runs to go along with four strikeouts. Fellow Lion Samuel Briceno came in relief and allowed seven runs while striking out one batter. Mateo Ferguson finished off pitching duties in game one, striking out one Night Hawk.
William Hiciano started game two, allowing one run while producing three strikeouts. Jamal Johnson wrapped up game two on the mound and allowed one run while striking out two Night Hawk batters in the victory.
Game 3 (Rubber Match)
FMU 11 - Thomas 6
FMU scored the first four runs of the day in the top of the third inning. Jalen Young's two-RBI single brought home Charlton and Nathan Harris for the first two runs. Berrios followed up with a two-RBI single hat brought Young and Gabriel Marinez around the diamond. However, Thomas responded in the bottom stanza and scored two runs, closing the gap to 4-2.
In the fifth inning, Berrios generated his third RBI of the contest, bringing in Ulises Rodriguez to increase FMU's lead to 5-2. The Night Hawks responded with two runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth to tie the game 5-5.
In the seventh, an error by Thomas brought home Young and Marinez, which gave the Lions the lead once again.
A home run for Thomas in the eighth inning closed the gap to 7-6, but the Lions sealed the deal in the ninth as Young scored his third run of the day to give the Lions an 8-6 lead. The Night Hawks then committed costly errors that allowed Berrios and Rodriguez to score, extending FMU's lead. Luis Ruiz added an insurance run before the inning was over as Florida Memorial won 11-6.
Kyle Morrison started the first five innings on the mound for FMU and allowed eight hits, four runs, three walks, and produced three strikeouts. Ricardo Alvarez de Lugo came in relief and allowed two hits, two runs, four walks, and nabbed two strikeouts in the final four innings.
The Lions return to action Tuesday, March 28 where they will host the Fort Lauderdale Eagles in non-conference action. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Harry T. Moore Baseball Field.
