MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | Florida Memorial's return to Harry T. Moore Baseball Field was one to remember, as the Lions dominated Florida National 8-4 in the home opener. FMU took control from the beginning and never looked back, taking game one in the four-game series.
FMU opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when a sacrifice ground out by junior
Ernie Farrell scored designated hitter
Luis Ruiz to give FMU the lead, which they would not relinquish. Outfielder
Pheron Charlton continued the scoring when he stole home for his first of two runs on the day. In the top of the second, a Farrell single two-RBI scored freshman
Adrian Astudillo and senior
Kyle Morrison to double the Lions lead to 4-0 after two innings.
After a scoreless third inning, the duo of Ruiz and Chalrton capitalized on a wild pitch to score their second runs of the game and make it a 6-0 score after four innings. FNU scored their first two runs in the top of the fifth off a two-RBI home run to cut the lead to four runs, before adding an additional run in the top of the sixth to make it a 6-3 contest.
Senior
Raymond Rivera resumed scoring for the Lions as his single to left field scored Farrell in the bottom of the sixth, extending FMU's lead to four runs once again. Florida National added another run in the top of the seventh to make the score 7-4, but three straight hit by pitches in the bottom of the eighth resulted in Hollywood native
Gianni Tusa walking in the final run of the game, sealing the home opener victory for the Lions.
Boynton Beach native
Max Charnin earned the victory, allowing just five hits and two runs in five innings while striking out two Conquistadors. Freshman
Jonah Guinto came in relief and in two innings allowed three hits and two runs while striking out one Conquistador. Junior
Jamal Johnson was called up for one inning in the game while Charleston native
Stephen West finished on the mound for FMU, striking out one Conquistador in his one inning of action.
The win advances Florida Memorial to 4-4 on the year.
The Lions return to action Friday, March 1, where they'll host Florida National for a doubleheader in the four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Harry T. Moore Baseball Field.
