MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | The Florida Memorial University baseball team dropped the first two games of the series before roaring back in dramatic fashion, winning games three and four to split the weekend series against St. Thomas in the Battle of Miami Gardens at Harry T. Moore Baseball Field.
Gm. 1
FMU 11 - STU 14
The series opener proved to be a thriller as St. Thomas poured in a season-high nine runs in the first inning and enjoyed a 10-0 lead heading to the bottom of the second inning. That's when FMU scored five runs, cutting the deficit in half thanks to a 3-run home run from
Armando Ramirez followed by a 2-run shot by teammate
Christian Carratala.
In the third inning, FMU added three runs, bringing the score to 10-8 thanks to a solo home run from
Reinaldo Prieto. However, the Bobcats responded with two additional runs in the fourth inning before the Lions answered right back with two runs of their own in the fifth, bringing the score to 12-10 thanks to another solo shot from Prieto, who hit a season-best two home runs in the loss.
In the eighth, FMU scored another run, cutting the deficit to just one run before the Bobcats closed the door with two additional runs in the final inning.
FMU pitcher
Daniel Ramos was credited with the loss as he six earned runs before being replaced by
Jerryk Caceras, who allowed two earned runs.
Roberto Lamour took over next, allowing one earned run before being replaced by
Jamal Johnson, who produced a season-high five strikeouts and allowed just one earned run in 4.1 innings of work.
Gm. 2
FMU 0 - STU 7
In game two, the Lions got behind 1-0 in the first inning, then trailed 3-0 after three innings. Although FMU kept it close for the majority of the contest, the Bobcats poured in four runs in the final inning to take a 2-0 series lead over the Lions. FMU managed a season-low three hits in the game.
Gm. 3
FMU 7 - STU 6
St. Thomas took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning before FMU responded with three runs of their own when
Christopher Marte smacked a three-run shot to left field, bringing the score to 3-3.
In the eighth inning, FMU led 6-5 when FMU pitcher
Brandon Roman was called for a balk, allowing St. Thomas to tie the game 6-6. However, in the bottom stanza, with the bases loaded,
Jason Ramos battled though the pitch count and generated the game-winning walk as
Christopher Marte crossed home plate, giving the Lions the lead for good.
FMU starting pitcher
William Hiciano produced five strikeouts and allowed two earned runs in six innings of work before being replaced by
Juan Anderson, who finished with one strike out and zero earned runs across one inning. Roman was eventually credited with the win as he struck out two Bobcats and allowed one earned run in two inning on the mound.
Gm. 4
FMU 18 - STU 16
A full statistical breakdown will be provided shortly for game four.
The Lions return to action on Thursday, March 20 as they face Keiser in game one of the weekend series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. in West Palm Beach, Florida.
