LAKE WALES, Fla. | The Florida Memorial softball team continued its stellar season by taking two of three games in a weekend series over Warner to open SUN conference play.
Game 1
FMU 2 - Warner 0
The Lions wasted no time in the first inning as first-team All-SUN player
Ciara Justice produced a two-RBI double to center field that scored both
Ciera Taylor and
Heidy Olivo, giving FMU a 2-0 lead.
Neither team scored for the rest of the contest as FMU pitcher
Emma Silva (4-1) proved to be sensational, allowing just one hit while striking out one batter, pitching a complete game and earning a team-high fourth victory of the year.
Game 2
FMU 3 - Warner 1
Once again, the Lions scored all they needed in the first inning as Justice generated a sacrifice-fly RBI that brought home Taylor for the first run of the ball game. Moments later, freshman
Leneaya Silva produced a two-RBI double to left field that scored
Mariana Gongora and Olivo, bringing the score to 3-1.
The Royals answered back with a run in the bottom of the first, but FMU's defense held strong and did not allow another run throughout the contest. Lions pitcher
Gabriela Pinto was credited with the victory, allowing just one earned run on seven hits while striking out two Warner batters.
Game 3
FMU 2 - Warner 6
The Royals took an early 4-0 lead after scoring a pair of runs in each of the first two innings. However, the Lions responded with a run in the top of the third inning when
Aashana Francis scored as a result of a Warner error.
After Warner scored an additional two runs in the bottom of the fourth, FMU made one last push and scored a run in the top of the sixth inning when L. Silva produced a sacrifice-fly RBI that scored Justice. The Lions comeback stalled as FMU could not complete the series sweep.
FMU pitcher
Kaylie Araujo was credited with the loss as she allowed two earned runs before relief pitcher
Alyssa Estrada took control for one inning. E. Silva finished the contest on the mound for FMU as all three pitchers allowed two earned runs in the final contest of the series.
The Lions return to action on Tuesday, March 19 as they travel to Viera for a doubleheader against Dallas Christian, then Hastings. First pitch is set for 12:15 p.m. at the USSSA Space Coast Complex.
