WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons defeated the Tabor College Bluejays 4-2 in the rubber game of a three-game KCAC opening series today (Feb. 19) at West Side Athletic Field.
It's the fourth straight series victory for the Falcons to open the 2024 season and the first series win over Tabor since 2017.
The Falcons faced deficits of 1-0 and then 2-1 until a sacrifice fly by Niquan Benjamin tied the score in the fourth and a go-ahead RBI single by Buster Hardman plated Zeke Henson to give Friends its first lead of the game in the fifth inning.
Hardman then provided the Falcons with a valuable insurance run in the seventh with a bunt single on a squeeze play that scored Sam Engberg.
Things got dicey for the Falcons in the eighth with the bases loaded and two outs, but Matthew Benton got a pop up to Hardman to escape the jam unscathed.
Vincent Vigil then came on and retired the Bluejays in order in the ninth to close out the victory and earn his second save of the season.
The Falcons were bolstered by a solid effort on the mound from Daniel Jaime, who sent six innings and gave up two runs with four strikeouts.
"Daniel was fantastic today and gave us six quality innings," said Friends baseball head coach Adam Neisius. "Benton gave us six big outs in a little different role and Vinny was solid in the ninth."
Hardman fueled the Falcons (10-3, 2-1 KCAC) at the plate with two hits and a pair of RBIs. Tyler Godfrey also had an RBI single in the first inning that put Friends on the board.
Tyler Mata Lloyd went 2-of-4 for the Bluejays, with Juan Rosa Gonzalez and Miguel Ramos III each producing RBI singles for Tabor (3-6, 1-2 KCAC).
"I think our hitters pressed a little too much in the series, especially with runners in scoring position," said Neisius. "With this group of hitters I think that can be fixed quickly and they'll get back it tomorrow. It's a great way to open in conference play, I'm proud of everyone and how they continue to protect "The Nest".
Next up for the Falcons is the first road date of 2024 at Mid-America Christian University tomorrow (Feb. 20) at 1 pm in Oklahoma City, Okla.
