MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | Florida Memorial University finished its conference opening doubleheader with St. Thomas, 8-12 in game one and 7-3 in game two, splitting the games. The Lions kept pace in game one in the Battle of Miami Gardens, just falling short by four runs, before a phenomenal game two, where they scored at least one run in all but one inning.
Game 1: FMU 8 - 12 STU
STU kicked off with a three-run bottom of the second to take the lead early. The Lions matched that with a five-run top of the third, kicked off by a run from center fielder,
Pheron Charlton. First baseman,
Justin Martinez, continued, with an RBI-double that scored right fielder,
Armando Ramirez. Reigning Lion of the Week,
Don McKnight III, followed that with an RBI-double that sent Martinez around the diamond to tie the game 3-3. Second baseman,
Christian Carratala's RBI scored third baseman,
Wilber Puertas, to give FMU their first lead of the day, followed by a wild pitch that scored McKnight. The Bobcats scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to tie things up 5-5, before re-taking the lead in the bottom of the fourth and exploding with a six-run bottom of the fifth. Charlton closed the gap in the top of the seventh, with an RBI-triple that scored designated hitter,
Dennys Acosta. Short stop,
Daniel Lopez, hit an RBI-single that scored Charlton for the second time, before Lopez scored his first run off an RBI-double from Ramirez. Unfortunately, the Lions were shut out in the final two innings, and couldn't complete the comeback, breaking their seven-game win streak.
Wade Francis (2-2) suffered his second loss of the season. In 3.1 innings, he allowed five earned runs and six hits, while striking out four Bobcats. Relief pitcher,
Jesus Ramos played one inning, allowing three hits and three earned runs, while striking out one Bobcat. Freshman,
Sebastian Fernandez, finished on the mound for the Lions, allowing three hits and three earned runs, while striking out four Bobcats.
Game 2: FMU 7 - 3 STU
The Lions came out swinging, with an home run from Ramirez in the top of the first. STU took the lead following a two-run bottom of the second, which the Lions tied up an inning later. Pinch runner,
Marquis Clarke scored off an error by the catcher. FMU took advantage to re-take the lead an inning later, first by an error that scored Puertas and pinch runner,
Damarion Butler. The Bobcats cut the lead down to one in the bottom of the fourth, but the Lions answered with another home run from Ramirez to re-open the lead to two an inning later. Scoring continued in the top of the sixth, with runs from McKnight and Acosta to open the lead to 7-3. FMU shut out STU in the final three innings, to put them back in the win column and score their first conference win of the season.
Senior,
Jamal Johnson (4-0), earned his fourth striaght win of the season, continuing his undefeated streak. He played all seven innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs, while striking out four Bobcats.
The split moves FMU to 14-7 on the year and 1-1 in conference play.
The Lions return to action Friday, March 13, for the series finale doubleheader against St. Thomas in the Battle of Miami Gardens. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Paul Demie Mainieri Field.
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