MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Florida Memorial's opening round of the Black College World Series ends in a hard-fought 8-5 loss to DII oppoennt Edward Waters. The defending BCWS champions kept up with EWU all afternoon, but four errors to Edward Waters' one made the difference in the loss.

Down 1-0 after two innings, speedster Pheron Charlton knocked a ground-out RBI that scored senior Luiz Ruiz to tie the score in the top of the third. Edward Waters produced a three-run fifth inning to reclaim the lead at 4-1, followed by a two-run bottom of the sixth to extend their lead. Third baseman Ernie Farrell hit an RBI single that scored Ruiz for his second run of the game before first baseman Keith Harden hit the lone home run of the afternoon that scored himself along with teammates Ivan Zambrano and Ulises Rodriguez in the top of the eighth. This put the Lions down by one run; however, the Tigers put together a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to pull away at the end to hand FMU an opening-round loss in Montgomery.

Junior William Hiciano started on the mound for FMU and, in 4.2 innings, allowed seven hits and two earned runs while striking out one Tiger. Teammate Kelvin Feliciano (2-2) was credited with the loss, allowing three hits and one earned run in his limited time on the mound. Relief pitcher Daniel Ramos finished on the mound and, in 2.2 innings, allowed one hit and two earned runs while striking out two Tigers.

The loss moves FMU to 20-25 on the season.

The Lions return to action Thursday, May 9, where they'll take on the loser of Talladega vs. Wiley to stay alive in the Black College World Series. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Montgomery, Ala.