PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. | With the final tournament slot still in play, Florida Memorial looked to solidify its spot with a series win at home over the Thomas Nighthawks. The Lions fought hard throughout the day, but Thomas squeezed by to sweep the doubleheader over the Lions 10-8 and 9-6.
Game One:
Lions 8 – Night Hawks 10
Florida Memorial took an early lead in the bottom of the first, with runs scored by
Heidy Olivo,
Breanna Reyes and Ciera Justice. Thomas closed the gap to 3-2 in the top of the third before Reyes responded, scoring her second run of the game and extending the gap to 4-2 for Florida Memorial.
Thomas scored a run in the fourth, then took the lead in the top of the fifth, giving the Lions their first deficit of the game. A two-RBI single by Justice brought Reyes and Olivo around the diamond, giving FMU the lead once again. An RBI from
McKenna Dawes scored Justice to give the Lions a 7-5 lead with one inning remaining. Thomas would score five runs in the top of the seventh, meaning FMU was down three runs with just the bottom of the seventh remaining.
Aashana Francis scored a home run to close the deficit, but it wasn't enough as the Night Hawks completed the comeback with a final score of 10-8.
Gabriela Pinto started at pitcher for the Lions and allowed eight hits, nine runs, five walks and struck out one Night Hawk while Breanna Morales finished in the circle and allowed one hit, one run and two walks.
Game Two:
Lions 6 – Night Hawks 9
The Lions took the lead in the bottom of the second, with runs scored by Dawes and
Alexandrea Matheny. Thomas scored five runs in the top of the third, giving them a 5-2 lead over FMU. An RBI by Reyes scored Francis, closing the gap to 5-3. Thomas scored one run in the fourth inning and two in the fifth, giving them a five-run gap over the Lions. Three runs scored by Francis.
Olivo and Reyes closed the gap to 8-6 in the bottom of the fifth. Thomas scored one more run in the top of the sixth and held on to the 9-6 win for the doubleheader sweep over Florida Memorial, winning the series.
Francis got the nod for the Lions and allowed nine hits, eight runs, one walk and struck out two Nighthawk.
Rachelle Frederick came in relief and allowed two hits. Pinto came in relief for Frederick and allowed one hit, one run, and three walks.
FMU returns to action Wednesday, April 19
th where they will take on Fort Lauderdale on the road. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.
