Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | Down 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Florida Memorial University's
Don McKnight III made the play of the season, with a walk-off grand slam that completed FMU's victory over Fisher 8-5 in game one of the doubleheader.
Game 1: FMU 8 - 5 Fisher
FMU opened the scoring with an error that scored first baseman
Justin Martinez. An inning later, center fielder
Pheron Charlton hit an RBI single that scored pinch runner
Marquis Clarke to put the Lions up 2-0. Fisher cut the lead in half an inning later, but FMU answered with a two-run bottom of the fourth, with runs scored by McKnight III and catcher
Gregory Leal. Fisher closed the lead with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth and looked to play spoiler, with a two-run top of the seventh to take a 5-4 lead with half of an inning to go. The Lions' offense loaded the bases with one out on the board, allowing McKnight III to hit his second home run of the day, a walk-off grand slam, that sealed the deal for the Lions.
Freshman
Marwan Khatib started the first six innings for the Lions. He allowed three hits, four earned runs, and three walks, while striking out 10 Falcons. Junior
Esteban Jogins (3-0) got the victory, allowing two hits and striking out one Falcon.
Game 2: FMU 15 - Fisher 8
FMU opened the game with two runs from Charlton and shortstop
Daniel Lopez in the bottom of the first. Fisher tied the game with a run apiece in the second and third innings, but a monster five-run bottom of the third for the Lions reopened the lead by as many runs. Two more runs in the bottom of the fourth extended the lead to seven, before the Falcons shaved off three runs in the top of the fifth. FMU reopened the lead and then some, with a five-run bottom of the fifth.
Both sides exchanged a run an inning later, and while the Falcons scored two runs in the top of the seventh, the lead the Lions built was too large to overcome, resulting in their seventh straight win.
Freshman
Roger Garcia (1-2) got the win and struck out seven Falcons, while surrendering five earned runs, four hits, and two walks.
The wins move FMU to 13-6 on the season.
The Lions return to action, Thursday, March 12, for the conference opener against No. 17 St. Thomas in the Battle of Miami Gardens. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at the Paul Demie Mainieri Field.
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