WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons held on for an 8-6 victory over the Northwestern College (Iowa) Raiders in the opening tilt of a three-game series today (Feb. 9) at Westside Athletic Field.

After the Raiders tied the score with two runs in the top of the sixth, a two-run single by Carlos Rodriguez kicked off a four-run bottom frame for the Falcons. RBI singles from Nijai Armbrister and Niquan Benjamin followed and Buster Hardman scored pinch-runner Will Pacheco in the seventh to create a five-run lead of 8-3 for Friends.

The Raiders then made it interesting when a two-run double by Drew Dykstra finished a three-run eighth inning and made it a two-run game.

But Vincent Vigil came on and closed the door with a scoreless ninth inning, including a strikeout to end the game and pick up the save.

A two-run single by Benjamin snapped a scoreless tie in the third and Spencer Davidson then drove home Armbrister for a 3-0 Falcon lead.

Sam Stanford later singled home a pair of runs for the Raiders in the sixth to tie the score.

"Not a great day for us but we battled a very good starting pitcher from Northwestern and got to the bullpen," said Friends baseball head coach Adam Neisius. "I'm glad we could get a win but if I know our guys I'm betting they play better tomorrow."

Davidson had a career-best three hits in four at-bats for the Falcons, while Benjamin drove in three runs. Armbrister also went 2-of-3 and Buster Hardman scored two runs.

Devin Dirkx went 3-of-3 and scored a run for the Raiders (0-1).

Francisco Moscoso was solid again on the mound for the Falcons, going 5.1 innings with four strikeouts and three runs allowed. Matthew Benton followed Moscoso and got the final two outs in the sixth to earn the win. 

Dylan Kirkeby was the Raiders' starter and lasted six innings, also allowing three runs and striking out six.

The Falcons and Raiders will wrap up the weekend series with two seven inning games starting at 1 pm.