MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | Florida Memorial split the doubleheader with No. 12 Keiser, winning off a walk-off run 5-4 in game one, before struggling in the 11-1 loss in game two. The Lions hold the lead in the series 2-1 going into the final game on Saturday.
Game 1
FMU 5 - KU 4
Keiser scored the series' first home run in the top of the second to take an early 1-0 lead. An
Alejandro Fernandez RBI single scored designated hitter
Luis Ruiz in the bottom of the third to tie the game 1-1. The Seahawks answered back with another run in the top of the fourth to retake the lead 2-1.
The bottom of the fourth would be FMU's best. Shortstop
Marco Medina kicked off the inning with an RBI double that scored second baseman
Ulises Rodriguez to re-tie the game at 2-2. Back-to-back walks for FMU would break the equalizer, as junior
Ernie Farrell and Medina walked home to give the Lions the 4-2 lead after four innings.
The Seahawks scored their second home run of the game, which was a 2 RBI home run, to tie the contest at 4-4 in the top of the seventh. With the game on the line, Rodriguez came in clutch with a sacrifice RBI that brought home outfield superstar
Pheron Charlton for the walk-off run to give Florida Memorial the victory in the bottom of the seventh 5-4.
Junior
Carlos Solano started on the mound for the Lions and in five innings pitched allowed nine hits, two runs and three walks. Junior
Jamal Johnson came in relief for one inning pitched for Solano. Charleston native
Stephen West (1-0) earned the victory and his lone inning pitched allowed three hits and two runs while striking out two Seahawks.
Game 2
FMU 1 - KU 11
The Seahawks kicked off game two with three runs in the top of the first to give them an early lead. They would add another run in the top of the fourth before exploding with five runs in the top of the seventh to give themselves a 9-0 advantage.
Needing to find a gear on offense, Rodriguez produced an RBI single that sent pinch runner
Gianni Tusa around the diamond for the Lions' lone run of the contest. Keiser answered back with two runs in the top of the eighth to put the game out of reach as the ninth inning would never be played. The 11-1 defeat is the lowest amount of runs scored for the Lions in a game this season.
Senior
Kyle Morrison (2-2), was credited with the loss and in five innings pitched allowed seven hits, four runs, and two walks while striking out five Seahawks. West Palm Beach native
Daniel Ramos came in relief and in 1.1 innings pitched allowed five hits, five runs, and two walks. Mexico City native
Andres Mendes finished on the mound for the Lions and in 1.2 innings pitched allowed one hit, two runs, one walk, and struck out one Seahawk.
The doubleheader split moves FMU to 13-6 on the year and 2-1 in conference play.
The Lions return to action Saturday, March 16, where they'll host Keiser in the final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Harry T. Moore Baseball Field.
