MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | Florida Memorial University fell to No. 24 Keiser in its season opener 10-3 at Harry T. Moore Baseball Field. Despite the loss, the Lions kept pace with the Seahawks for most of the game, but two big plays push Keiser over the edge, resulting in the loss.

The Seahawks scored first in the top of the second, before exploding with a six-run top of the fourth. FMU added its first two runs in the bottom of the fifth, the first off a Nathan Martinez single RBI that scored Pheron Charlton, and the other off a sacrifice fly by Armando Ramirez scoring Martinez, and one run in the bottom of the seventh off Damarion Butler's RBI scoring Charlton, but Keiser pulled away further in the top of the ninth with three runs to put the game away.

Freshman Roger Garcia started on the mound for the Lions, finishing with allowing three hits, six earned runs, three walks and two strikeouts in three innings. Senior Jamal Johnson came in relief and in five innings, allowed three hits, one earned run, one run, and struck out three Seahawks. Freshman Sebastian Fernandez pitched next and allowed three earned runs and struck out two Seahawks, while junior Daniel Perruc finished the game for the Lions.

The loss drops FMU to 0-1 on the season.

The Lions return to action Friday, February 6, when they'll travel to Jacksonville to take on NCAA DII and fellow HBCU, Edward Waters. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. at the Henry L. Aaron Field at James P. Small Memorial Park.

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